The kids are out of the house.
You have a quiet hour to go through their closets and pull out the outgrown clothes, like you do every year.
It feels good to make room, and to know those clothes can move to your younger child’s drawers and get more wear.
Then, a few days later, you notice more arguing around the house.
“That’s mine!”
“You can’t wear that!”
Toys that haven’t been played with in months are suddenly being fought over.
What’s going on with these kids? Is this just the age when sibling rivalry starts?
It’s possible. As children grow and change, they can have a harder time communicating and managing their impulses.
But there may be something else going on: sibling rivalry that grows, unintentionally, out of hand-me-downs.
In this episode, I share my own story of growing up as the younger sibling, in a wardrobe full of hand-me-downs. I also talk about what I’ve heard from clients, and how I approach this differently with my two sons.
We’ll look at how giving children a say in what happens with their belongings, and in what they receive, can turn hand-me-downs into a practice that builds generosity and connection.
If this sounds familiar, you don’t have to sort it out alone.
I’m a connection-first home organizer, and the Dooley Method is the approach I created to help parents and children organize together.
This isn’t about a perfect-looking home or getting kids to comply. It’s about building skills your family can use for years: noticing, deciding, and following through, with less tension along the way.
I work with families one-on-one, virtually and in person. Paid members of Dooley Noted also get ongoing support and resources. Schedule a free 15-minute Connection Call, and we can find what fits your family.
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