Archive: Around Town

Dear Margaret: After losing my wife last year, I've decided to downsize and move into a condo where I'll have less inside maintenance and the HOA will take care of outside maintenance. My problem is that my grown children are squabbling over the house and furnishings, like it was theirs to divide. I feel like I'm in the middle. I know some of the disagreements come from a place of wanting to hang onto items that hold sentimental value and remind them of their dear mother. Other arguing seems to be born of pure selfishness. I can't possibly do the work of sorting and distributing by myself, but having my children 'help' me is causing me too much stress. How can I get through this next stage in my life without causing hard feelings and so much anxiety?
Can’t Move Forward
Dear Can’t Move Forward: There are professional organizers skilled in helping people downsize their homes. The good ones are sensitive to the emotions involved in letting go of possessions which hold precious memories and the need to be conscious of space limitations in the new place of residence. They can help you objectively sort out first of all what it is that you want to bring with you to your new home. You may have financial considerations that would make it necessary to sell some of the possessions that remain. Another avenue for help is a professional mediator. As an unbiased third party, their main objective is to see that all parties come to an agreement in which everyone is satisfied. At the end of the day, all real and personal property belong to you to dispose of and distribute as you wish. With a sensitive mind and heart towards your children, acknowledgement of your own needs, and the help of a third party, you can accomplish your goals to move forward.

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