Dear Di:

First input: you wrote that it is your responsibility to help your parents with their move because you are the only (adult) child living in the same city as they. I say: it is not your responsibility, objectively speaking. It is a responsibility you believe and feel you have, but objectively and legally, it is not.

Otherwise: are you saying she wants you to permanently display her items in your house? This is very unreasonable. I would say NO to this, clear and simple.

Regarding trying to teach her or start her to examine her over attachment to things at 71, I think it is futile. What I would do, if I chose to help them, if I volunteered to help them with the move, is I would be assertive about what I am willing to do and what I am willing not to do, clear and straightforward. I would tell her that I choose not to do this or that because I do not believe in attachment to things but I wouldn’t elaborate on the issue of attachment. In other words, I would follow my beliefs on attachment to things, assert myself clearly and confidently, not sacrificing my beliefs so to accommodate her beliefs. I will not store her things so that she will feel comfortable.

anita