TOSSING IN THE TOWEL

tossing in the towel
Mason
Posted: 29 April 2021 - 12:31 PM
 

My mother has had a hoarding issue ever since I was a child. Every time we relocated cross country all of her stuff went into a different storage unit in the new city/state we moved to.
Any trip to donate items doesn't go without an argument. She's mentioned she wants help with the issue but blows them off when I bring up opportunities. I feel any progress made is useless because she'll point out a front yard with lots of flower pots and lawn furniture as hoarders, but her house is full of empty containers and boxes. Has anybody lost a relationship because of hoarding issues?

 

Replies (2)

Marie
Posted: 12 May 2021 - 12:18 AM
 

Mason,
I have a mom who is a hoarder, and from middle school to college years, I lived in the family home with mice and cockroaches from it being so dirty. I know what its like to have a mom who hoards. Our growing up life was a horrible environment. Helpful resources I have found are Jennifer Hanslick videos on Youtube. She has Clutter Trucker cleaning service in Denver and gives speeches on treating hoarders with respect and dignity. Her videos help me look on my mom with sympathy rather than being judgmental. Also, look up Sam Wilke videos with his channel, "Wellbeing Thunderstorm". He deals with his mom who is a hoarder and has a series of videos about do's and don'ts. His mother even let him film an episode in her house, talking with her about all the clutter and how it makes her feel. He shows how to talk to the hoarder in a way that will make them not feel attacked, but feel understood. Also, the book "Buried in Treasures" by Frost might help. On this website under "online support group", they are supposed to be starting a Thursday night support group for family members of hoarders at 5pm pacific time. If it gets off the ground, maybe you can get ideas there. Hope that helps

 
Tatoulia
Posted: 30 April 2021 - 12:05 AM
 

Hi Mason. I am sorry you are going through this. I have not lost any relationships. I have a family member who is a bit of a trash hoarder and I used to clean his house regularly. The nice thing was that he didn't really fight me on anything. My elderly mother has way too much stuff and the struggle is real. She is in assisted living so she needs to maintain a path for her helpers. her need to keep everything is really discouraging. I went through a hoarding period, which I have been able to turn myself around. It came from within, though, not from the outside. And I found this site for encouragement and help. I just reached a point. I am so sorry you are going through this and let us know if we can support you in any way.

 
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