I met my great aunt when I was 13 years old. She lived in the old farmhouse where she and her siblings had grown up in a small farm town in Kansas. I remember that we had to call ahead to let her know we were arriving. When we arrived at my Great Aunt’s in […]
The Trauma in Generational Hoarding Read More »
It is sad to learn that I am not the only recipient of misguided advice when it comes to dealing with our parents or people that hoard. Far too many people & entities are jumping on the bandwagon and telling family members what to do about their hoarding family members. The problem is that these
No More Harmful Advice For The #AKOPTH Read More »
One of the hardest aspects of hoarding that I see on a regular basis is how this problem erodes family relationships. The clutter takes over the space where one would normally entertain, so there is no room to sit in the living room or dining room. Often times it is impossible to cook a meal,
How Hoarding Erodes Relationships & What You Can Do to Connect Read More »
Twice I planned to have one of those “in-home” parties at my house. We set a date. We talked about a menu and I was fully onboard with this. Then I got busy and forgot that I really needed to create a list of guests. I bailed and rescheduled the party. We got in touch
In Home Party…It\’s Not That Easy Read More »
Hoarding truly isn\’t about organizing. It isn\’t about \”keeping what gives you joy.\” Hoarding is about hiding, shame and denial. Hoarding is about trauma, underlying unaddressed issues and how that pain is manifesting. The issue of hoarding is about lack and the fear of never having enough. Not enough LOVE. Not enough MONEY. Not enough
Hoarding Is NOT About Organizing Read More »
Silence in hoarding appears to be enabling. By giving no firm requirements to seek help, or treatment or emphasis on clutter reduction; the person who hoards remains mired in the mess. They have no clear way out. No starting point. Perhaps they see no REASON to seek treatment or heal the trauma that led to
The Silence in Hoarding Read More »
Would you be alarmed if a pack of rodents were living in your home? What about the home of a loved one? Would your IMMEDIATE reaction be one of concern? Anger? Astonishment? For many people the discovery of even one rodent or evidence of them in any shape or form would be a cause for
How Many Rats Live in Your House? Read More »
How is it conceivable that a multitude of conferences can be held on the issue of hoarding and minimal to NO discussion is done on how hoarding impacts the WHOLE FAMILY? It seems that the sole focus is on the person that hoards, their wounds, their injuries, their stuff and their need to control every
Including Family Members in the Discussion About Hoarding Read More »
On my recent trip home, I was the very last vehicle to be loaded on the ferry. As we were returning to our cars; a lady asked if she could take a photo of my bumper sticker. I have had this sticker on for a couple of years, it says, “Hoarding Hurts” and www.childrenofhoarders.com. She
Bumper Stickers Matter Read More »
Technically hoarding has a very specific definition. The Mayo Clinic states this: “Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value,
