I’ll admit that I’m more of a neat freak than most. It makes me really, really, REALLY happy when things are tucked away in their official place, when things are clean, and when there seems to be order in the world. Really Happy.
But, I know different things make different people happy in different ways. So, I can recognize that say, my daughter, doesn’t have the same happy place in the same neat world I do. I can recognize it, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t drive me crazy. It totally does. Sometimes I walk into her room and feel weak in the knees because of the chaos that surrounds her. Is that really her happy place?? Surely not.
Right?
So, here’s my question. What’s the general consensus on kids and clean rooms? I don’t want my kids remembering the chores of their childhood, bemoaning the fact that their Mother was a crazy nut that liked everything in order. But, I do feel it is their responsibility to keep their part of our home at least in working order. Sadly, one member of our little clan could spend much of her day everyday trying to do just that-make a path, and keep things in working order. So, how do I walk the line separating our two worlds? How do I instill the importance of organization, yet relax in the haven we call home?
I’m hoping that Slob Central isn’t the answer. I’m really, really, REALLY hoping that. 
I think as long as it is only in HER room, not the bathroom or any other ‘sharing’ area, and is not unhealthy(old food & tons of dust) then she should be able to express herself that way. You never know, one day she might get tired of stepping over stuff and clean it all up on her own!
I was allowed to keep my room “cluttered” as long as my bathroom was clean. I did have to put clothes away, and once a year Mom went through everything and threw/gave away items that were obviously unused. I just don’t think you can change a slob.
O no. I hope that’s not the case Kim!
Ok, I will try to turn down my OCD tendancies….
I, quite frankly, am just hoping that in a state of teenage rebellion, my children will insist on being neatniks to spite me.
The redeeming grace is that apparently my children are quite organized at school…no one who has seen my office can doubt that I am “less-than-neat”.
So she gets to have a messy room…yeah for her!
unfortunately some of us are just born with messy genes and no matter how hard we try it is just too difficult to keep our spaces neat and organized.
having someone stay on your case about it only makes life miserable for us and for the ones on our case I have found. actually, at times, it has made everyone in our house miserable. I say as long as there is not food or dishes lying around then close the door and let kids live in their mess if they want.
[...] habitats in general-mine or any one else’s. And, I have this small hunch that if my super organized and clean daughter had such a habitat in her room, I would be the one in charge of its cleanliness. The [...]