Dear Readers: A recent inquiry from “Not So Empty Nest Mom” inquired about managing her two adult daughters’ belongings, which were currently occupying the family garage post their departure from home.
I invited readers to contribute their own suggestions, and this article is dedicated to showcasing these ideas.
— Solutions from Readers:
Dear Amy: Dealing with my two sons’ reluctance to retrieve their belongings was a challenge. To address this, I started gifting them their childhood “treasures” for Christmas and birthdays. Items like old braces impressions and elementary school awards have sparked joy and laughter, effectively resolving the issue.
— Empty Nest
Dear Amy: We sorted through our children’s possessions, creating separate piles for items to keep, items they might want to keep, donations, and trash. When our kids returned home, they went through each pile, selecting what they wished to retain. The most sentimental items were the dusty collection of stuffed animals from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
— No More Beanie Babies
Dear Amy: As a parent of three daughters, I stored numerous items for them. I adopted a method of gradually decluttering by photographing items daily, sending the images to the owners for decisions. Most items were donated, and the remaining few were sent to the daughters. I now have only a few boxes left.
— Mostly Empty Nest
Dear Amy: I recommend that “Not So Empty Nest Mom” explore local “Buy Nothing” groups to facilitate the redistribution of items. By listing belongings on the group’s social media platform, members can claim and collect items through “porch pickup,” simplifying the process.
— Buying Less, Sharing More
Dear Amy: To encourage our sons to reclaim their possessions, we initiated a system where they would take home a box of items during their regular visits. Eventually, we organized a final sorting day, giving them the option to keep or discard the remaining items. This gradual approach has been effective in decluttering.
— Slowly Emptying Nest
Dear Amy: When faced with a similar situation in my late 20s, my mother set a clear deadline for me to address my childhood belongings stored at home. Her straightforward approach motivated me to take action and either retrieve or ship my items promptly.
— Son of No Drama Mama
Dear Amy: Over the years, we have encouraged our children to reduce the stored items by exchanging possessions during visits. This incremental process has helped in gradually reducing the accumulation of belongings.
— Bob, in Racine Wisconsin
Dear Amy: A classic approach to this dilemma is issuing an ultimatum: “Retrieve your belongings or they will be discarded.” This straightforward tactic has been a common strategy employed by mothers over the years.
— Going Through the Trash
Dear Amy: One alternative for “Not So Empty Nest Mom” is to consider renting a storage unit for her daughters’ items. While this solution aids in reclaiming garage space, it essentially shifts the problem elsewhere.
— Been There
Dear Been There: While storing items in rental units is a viable option, it is crucial to transfer responsibility to the adult children eventually to ensure accountability for the rental fees.
© 2024 by Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.