As a parent, I usually let my kids handle their own room cleaning. I figure it’s a good way to teach them responsibility and ownership, preparing them for adulthood. Plus, if I’m honest, I’m a little lazy and would rather not deal with their messes.
However, there are moments—maybe once a year—when I find it absolutely necessary to step in and take charge. You know it’s time when:
- You realize half your silverware and all your mixing bowls have mysteriously disappeared.
- The smell wafting from the room has become so familiar it’s earned the nickname “Stenchie.”
- You’ve been late to school or appointments far too often because you’ve been digging through what looks like a landfill to find your tween’s missing favorite item.
If you’re one of those parents who can somehow motivate your tween to clean their own space, kudos to you! But if you find yourself in need of intervention, here are some helpful tips.
- Choose the Right Time: Wait until your tween is out—either at school, at camp, or visiting the grandparents. You’ll want uninterrupted time for this monumental task, not a teenager screaming about their “rights.”
- Gather Supplies: Arm yourself with trash bags, recycling bins, cleaning spray, rags, a vacuum, gloves, and maybe even a shovel or a hazmat suit for good measure.
- Ventilate: Open the door and windows. No matter how chilly it is outside, you’ll need fresh air to survive this mission.
- Identify the Odor Source: Your first objective is to locate and eliminate the source of that awful smell. This may involve washing some truly putrid socks, tossing out rotten food, or dealing with questionable clothing items. Don’t assume there’s only one stinky culprit!
- Handle the Laundry: Gather all clothing from the floor, even if you think some pieces are clean. If it’s on the floor, it likely needs a wash. Trust me.
- Collect the Trash: Start gathering up any garbage. Hopefully, it’s just crumpled tissues and candy wrappers, but brace yourself for worse surprises. If something is stuck to the floor, scissors might become your best friend.
- Reclaim Kitchenware: If you find any of your kitchen dishes, assess if they’re worth salvaging. If not, toss them. Soak the ones that might be saved in the sink, then run them through a heavy dishwasher cycle.
- Clear Out Under Furniture: Pull everything out from under the bed, desk, and bookcase in one go. Resist the urge to set the entire pile on fire, and repeat steps 4 through 7.
- Snack on Their Secret Stash: While you’re at it, locate any hidden candy and enjoy it guilt-free (but wash your hands first)!
- Sort the Remaining Items: Divide everything into two categories: essential and non-essential. Put away the items you’re keeping and hide away the rest until you can donate it. And I mean hide it well!
- Wipe Surfaces Down: Clean off all surfaces, including doors and walls, and then dispose of your cleaning rag like it’s hazardous waste.
- Vacuum: Finally, vacuum the floor and rejoice as you rediscover the true color of the carpet beneath the chaos.
Once your tween returns, pop in your headphones and blast your favorite tunes. You might want to have a distraction ready for the neighbors, such as movie tickets, to soften the blow of the ensuing chaos when your tween exclaims, “MY ROOM IS SO UNFAMILIAR! I CAN’T STAND THESE CONDITIONS!”
Important Note: If you stumble upon your tween’s journal, resist the temptation to read it. Respect their privacy—some things are better left unseen (not that I would know from experience).
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To summarize, tackling your tween’s messy room can feel overwhelming, but with a strategic approach, you can restore order and teach valuable life lessons in the process.