Growing Up in Chaos: The Hidden Impact of Hoarding & Addiction on Children — And Why I Built WithMother LLC
Most people think hoarding is just “too much stuff.”
They see clutter.
They see piles.
They see the surface.
What they don’t see is the child living underneath it all.
The child trying to grow up in a home filled with addiction, instability, rodents, roaches, and paths carved through endless piles just to reach the door.
I know this because I was that child.
Housing instability wasn’t a one-time event — it was a cycle.
Infestations weren’t surprises — they were part of daily life.
Chaos wasn’t occasional — it shaped my entire childhood.
And when hoarding and addiction collide, it doesn’t just damage the home.
It changes the child. It changes their brain. It changes their future.
Research Confirms What I Lived Through
Trauma rewires a child’s brain
The CDC-Kaiser ACEs Study shows that kids exposed to household addiction, mental illness, or neglect have:
12× higher risk of suicide attempts
2–3× higher risk of addiction in adulthood
Higher PTSD rates than some veterans
Children in hoarded homes often experience 4–6 ACEs at the same time.
Hoarding environments are dangerous for developing bodies
Studies from Boston University and the National Center for Hoarding Disorder show hoarded homes are:
3× more likely to have rodent and bug infestations
High-risk for fires
Associated with higher asthma, mold exposure, and respiratory issues
I didn’t need the data.
I grew up hearing mice scratching through the walls and seeing roaches run across the floor.
Instability disrupts growth
The American Academy of Pediatrics found that housing instability increases:
emotional problems by 50%
developmental delays by 40%
behavioral challenges by 20%
Children cannot grow where they do not feel safe.
The Part Research Doesn’t Capture
Here’s the reality of being a child in a hoarded, addicted home:
You learn to move quietly.
You learn to hide everything.
You learn to take care of adults who should’ve taken care of you.
You learn to become responsible for problems you did not cause.
Shame becomes your shadow.
Fear becomes your teacher.
Adultification becomes your normal.
Those years shaped parts of me I’m still healing…
and parts of me that became the soul of WithMother LLC.
Why WithMother LLC Exists
Every time I walk into a hoarded home, I don’t see a “mess.”
I see:
the child living there now
the child the adult used to be
the trauma buried under every pile
the story no one asked about
the pain the clutter is protecting
I see myself.
This business is not just cleaning.
It’s trauma-informed support, judgment-free care, and a bridge to real healing.
Why We Need Therapists, Social Workers, and Doctors — LOTS of Them
Hoarding is never just about “stuff.”
It is deeply connected to:
trauma
grief
loss
addiction
mental health
anxiety
depression
PTSD
physical illness
disability
and generational patterns
That means cleaning alone is not enough.
Some clients will relate better to:
a Black therapist
a male therapist
a female therapist
a trauma specialist
a grief counselor
an addiction specialist
a family therapist
a medical doctor
a social worker
Every hoarder has a different story —
so they need different professionals.
This is why I want a large directory of therapists, social workers, counselors, psychologists, and doctors who understand hoarding and want to help.
I want:
multiple providers
diverse backgrounds
culturally aware care
gender-diverse professionals
trauma-informed practitioners
Black mental-health professionals
clinicians comfortable working in extreme environments
Because no single provider can reach every client —
and every client deserves someone they can relate to.
If you’re a provider who wants to collaborate, reach out.
Your support can change a home, a family, and a future.
Breaking the Cycle for the Next Child
If you grew up like I did…
If you're raising kids while carrying your own trauma…
If you’re trying to heal your home and your heart at the same time…
You deserve support.
Your children deserve stability.
Your family deserves a safe place to breathe.
WithMother LLC is here to help you begin.
CALL TO ACTION — Start Your Journey with WithMother LLC
Whether you’re a client, a contractor, or a mental-health professional, here’s how to get involved:
🌿 BOOK A CLEAN
Trauma-informed deep cleaning, organizing, haul-aways, and hoarder-safe support.
👉 Visit WmotherLLC.com to schedule.
🌟 LEARN HOW TO WIN A FREE CLEAN
Check out raffles, trial cleans, giveaways, and community events.
👉 See opportunities on the website.
💼 APPLY AS A 1099 CLEANER or TRAINER
Flexible schedule, meaningful work, and competitive pay.
👉 Go to WmotherLLC.com and click “Join Our Team.”
🧠 MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: PARTNER WITH US
Therapists, social workers, psychologists, and doctors — we need you.
Your expertise helps our clients heal beyond the surface.
👉 Email: WithMother4u@gmail.com
👉 Or inquire through the website.
