A FAMbassador shared a post from The Simplicity Habit titled Sorry Parents, Millennials Don’t Want Your Stuff which was made me react in two ways simultaneously: 1 - Yeah, I don’t want all of Mom and Dad’s stuff 2 - Wait, my Next Generation doesn’t want all of my stuff?! (Oh, ego, you get me every time…)
As is so often the case, the simplest path can be the most effective: “The best way to figure out if your kids want your stuff? Ask them! An honest conversation can go a long way.” Maybe the Next Generation already has a dresser that serves their life well, do they need a second one?
These family heirlooms might have been passed down through generations. Maybe the item is something that reminds Mom and Dad of that vacation or magical experience from before the Next Generation was even born. These things are critically important to Mom and Dad, but does that default make them important to the Next Generation? Apologies, but no.
The Next Generation has grown up with the internet at their fingertips, so do they value VHS tapes and CDs and photo albums? Maybe. Perhaps there is a way to keep the memories while not having to keep the physical items? Scanning and digitizing these keepsakes could be an ideal compromise. How will we know? By talking about it! Not trying to be Captain Obvious here, but when are we having these conversations with Mom and Dad and the Next Generation?
The Next Generation is not trying to insult Mom and Dad here. Generally speaking, families are now focusing more on experiences over items. Time together is a gift that lasts a lifetime. And it doesn’t create clutter, storage issues, and other ongoing hassles.
So, what to do? Have that honest conversation. Understand that it can evolve and priorities can change, so the plan is solid until new facts emerge. Mom and Dad can then have a clear idea on the items they can declutter themselves without causing additional stress, anxiety, and burden on the Next Generation about being required to take literally everything.
As we all know and these pages so often advocate: open, honest, and loving conversations help reinforce the foundation of a great relationship. This is true within the family about the family estate. With this approach, we can help ourselves and our families move forward…