Helping Someone Else Be Motivated

I lived with a mom that had many health problems and was always helping others. So one day I said, "Please lets find a way for you to do the organizing part of the cleaning". She had a strong comfy stool that would fit in any room. We took the stool to each room, and she went through each area. She picked out the garbage and the things to give to other families.

I was the legs. I put the garbage in big bags and put them outside so the area looked cleaner faster. That was a big encouragement. The give away things were put in the back porch in yellow bags with names on them.

This process took a couple days, but each morning Mom got up and looked at the progress first, then washed, dressed, had a hot cup of tea, and sat on her stool with a smile.

The next process was to check to see if some things were in the wrong rooms. We had a basket to put things in it to carry around the house to put back in the correct room. This was the right amount of help.

Soon Mom was pushing things around in the room and asking for the broom. She swept and picked through the dirt for what was good. She was smiling and laughing about some of the things she found. How could they have found their way to such funny places?

So I agree with one of the posts. You may need some help, but if the person that owns the home is part of it, they will benefit and come out of the slump. Some one can clean your home, but they cannot organize it. Tea breaks with nice snacks help a great deal!

By Rain V. from Chilliwack, BC

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joanfry

November 24, 20113 found this helpful

The thought that went into creating this solution for your mum is the epitome of love.
I am happy to be reading it on Thanksgiving Day.

I am far from home and will not be celebrating as you will in America, but it is stories like this that warm my heart and today I will be proud to be an American.

dscorpio739

June 18, 20161 found this helpful

Rain V...I was so touched by your above account of you helping to motivate your mom that I actually joined/followed this site. .. and I never do this! But your testimony spoke volumes about you. ..I wish I had someone such as you around! Lol

I have a similar situation. My place is a huge wreck. I am not a horder, but sure looks as tho I am. I do have several medical conditions that hinder me in just about everything. I do take several medications for such conditions, but they all have other things they cause. Besides for the medical conditions, I also have spinal injuries that have left me disabled and living in consistent pain. ... of course depression is a given (on meds for that as well). On top of all this, I am an older, single mother of a young child with special needs with whom has many medical issues that I desperately try to stay on top of, but often fail short no matter how hard I try. I'm eligible for a care attendant, but should I do that, I risk losing my son. If I say that I need help taking care of myself, then it is determined that I'm not able to care for my son. Just trying to keep up with the everyday stuff such as dishes, the mail, laundry etc takes every once of my being.

.. which gives me no time to tackle much of anything else. I need to take several breaks during the day, and the day is gone so fast. I never get to the real cleaning and I'm always trying to clean out the clutter and never getting anywhere. I was literally on the floor for almost 4 years, having to somehow crawl to the toilet. When I moved into my place, kids from a local church doing outreach moved my things in. They put stuff everywhere and a large portion still sit in those boxes or I've pulled some stuff out making messes everywhere. Nothing is organized or even in the right rooms they belong in. I can't find anything! I've re bought things I've needed even tho I know I have the item somewhere. Most depressing! My little boy and I live in a clutterly maze of obstacles courses.

What you did for your mom was the best thing anyone could ever do for another in this situation and I applaud you for your compassion and good thinking! Bravo to you! What an amazing person you are! (((HUGS)))

naomi

April 9, 20220 found this helpful

Very good practical advice to be respectful when you help.

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