Don't do this to your children

It's a difficult situation. You know it's a waste, but in their minds it's important and to deny them is difficult and causes arguments you don't want. Went through it with wife's mother when she was losing her grip on what was best. She felt like we the children, were telling her, the parent, what she could do. Sometimes it was like things were bought just to show us she could. Near the end she asked if we could give stuff away to poor people, and we got rid of a lot before the end. Sell what you can, dumpster for the rest. Sucks, but only way out.