Paperwork everywhere at parents' house

Gingernutty

When both my parents were alive, Dad trusted Mum with the paperwork.

There'd always be at least one unpaid bill out on the kitchen table being propped up by the condiments and the radio - this was Mum's way of reminding herself to pay that particular bill.

When she was ill, it went to pot - bills went unpaid and paperwork ended up in cupboards all over the kitchen and in their bedroom.

I tried helping Dad with the paperwork - one dedicated shelf with a simple folder system with "Electric", "Gas", "Bank" etc written on the front.

He not only didn't like it - it was as if he rebelled. Every time I visited, he'd ask me about something and when I tried to track down the bill in question, found he'd discovered new and inventive ways to hide the paperwork.

All you can do is offer to help and if you're refused, walk away. If the bills are being paid, then whatever system they have seems to be working.

neverdespairgirl

This_Year wrote: »

I have an IN tray and a PENDING tray. They're both about a foot high. Waiting for a rainy day when I'm that bored that I would file it away.

I just know the school uniform list in in there somewhere for when DD went to secondary school. She left school last year.

It was a very wet winter and spring - I reckon rainy days aren't enough for you.....:rotfl:

coolcait

Abbafan1972 wrote: »

I was round my Mom's house last night as my kids are staying there for half term.

Me and DD were looking for a Wii game that's gone missing and something became apparent to me last night. They have letters everywhere around the house, like bills and stuff. I don't think they are behind in any payments or anything, but there were letters on the radiator cover next to the front door, next to where my Dad sits in the back lounge, there are masses of papers and also we had to look in some drawers and there are just piles in there.

A lot of them are in their envelopes (have been opened), but I'm concerned that everything is so disorganised. We have a little cabinet and things get filed in there.

I noticed that some of the letters are to do with hospital appts and quite a few have Santander on the envelopes.

I haven't been prying or reading the letters, but do you think it's a good idea to speak to my Mom about this and try and get things in order.

(God forbid), I would hate anything to happen and then there's all this to sort through.

OK, here are my immediate 'haven't read the thread' reactions.

- your parents haven't mentioned that they're having problems dealing with paperwork and so on; they haven't asked for help. It appears that their way of dealing with paperwork is different from yours.

- you believe they are capable enough to look after your kids for half-term

- you're worried about what you might have to deal with - in terms of the paperwork - if your parents die, or become unable to look after their affairs or anything else

If the letters are about hospital appointments, then "if anything happens" you let the hospital know that the appointment can't be kept, and why.

Same thing, more or less, with Santander.

You'd have to do exactly the same things if your parents used the same filing system as you do.

Edited to add: I've now read the thread. I still stand by what I wrote earlier.

Valli

Abbafan1972 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.

I'm not saying I'm going to go steaming in and sort it all out! I think it's been like this for a long time, there's letters on the mantle in the back room, I didn't realise it was so bad, it was because we were looking for this blessed game!

Thanks for the comment about them looking after my children. It's half term and I have to work (only 3 days). It's a mutual agreement with them and they want to do it. If they didn't want to do it, then I would make other arrangements. But to be honest I shouldn't have to justify myself to you.

FYI, I don't interfere in my Mom's life, but she does interfere in mine a great deal.

We are away this weekend, so I will mention about it when we come back. If she wants my help to sort it all out, then I will, but if not, then I will leave it.

From what I could see the letters were opened, so I don't think there's a problem with keeping up payments.

Yet you're asking complete strangers on an internet forum for opinions and advice about it?

Right...

This_Year

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

It was a very wet winter and spring - I reckon rainy days aren't enough for you.....:rotfl:

not when there's 4 pics 1 word on my phone... :rotfl: