As a parent, I typically let my kids handle their own room cleaning. I believe it teaches them responsibility, nurtures their independence, and instills a sense of ownership. Plus, I admit it—I’m a bit lazy and prefer not to wade through their messes. However, there are those rare moments—maybe once a year—when I have to step in and take charge of the situation. Here are some signs it’s time to intervene:
- I realize that half of my silverware and all of my bowls have mysteriously vanished from the kitchen.
- The odor wafting from their room becomes so familiar that we jokingly refer to it as “The Stench.”
- We’ve missed school or other commitments too many times because I’m rummaging through my tween’s personal landfill for some frequently misplaced item.
If you, like me, find yourself at this crossroads, here’s a practical guide for a successful intervention:
- Choose the Right Time: Wait until your tween is occupied with school, camp, or visiting relatives. You’ll need uninterrupted time without a dramatic tween protesting your actions.
- Gather Your Supplies: Equip yourself with trash bags, recycling bins, cleaning sprays, rags, a vacuum, gloves, and perhaps even a shovel and hazmat suit for good measure.
- Air It Out: Open the windows and doors to let in fresh air. Regardless of the weather outside, you’ll need it to survive this task.
- Identify the Source of the Smell: This may require washing some putrid socks, discarding rotten food, or throwing out shoes that should have been retired long ago. A word of caution: there could be multiple sources of funk lurking about.
- Tackle the Laundry: Pick up all the clothing on the floor—even if you suspect some of it might be clean. If it has touched the floor, it’s safer to wash it again.
- Dispose of Trash: Next up is gathering the garbage. You hope it’s just used tissues and candy wrappers, but brace yourself for anything. If something is stuck to the floor, use scissors for removal or move furniture to hide it.
- Reclaim Kitchen Items: Assess whether the crusty cups and plates are salvageable. If they’re too far gone, toss them. For the good ones, soak them in the sink before running them through the dishwasher.
- Clear Out Under Furniture: Pull everything out from under the bed, desk, and bookcase. After resisting the urge to set the pile ablaze, repeat steps 4 through 7.
- Find Hidden Treats: You may come across a secret candy stash. Enjoy it guilt-free (but wash your hands first).
- Sort and Store: Separate the remaining items into essential and non-essential piles. Put away what you’re keeping and hide away the rest until it can be donated.
- Wipe Surfaces: Clean down doors, walls, and other surfaces—then dispose of the cleaning rag like a badge of honor.
- Vacuum the Floor: Revel in the joy of rediscovering the carpet’s original color.
Capture some photos of this pristine state because, trust me, it won’t last long. The very next day, the room will likely revert to its previous state.
Once your tween returns, pop in your earphones and blast your favorite music. If you’ve wisely arranged for the neighbors to have plans, you won’t have to hear the inevitable cries of “MY ROOM IS UNRECOGNIZABLE! 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 personal experience).
If you’re interested in more parenting tips, check out our blog post on the emotional rollercoaster of raising a tween. And for those exploring home insemination options, you can find reputable products at Make A Mom. Additionally, for resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Drugs.com.
In summary, cleaning your tween’s room can be a daunting but necessary task. It’s essential for their growth and responsibility, even if it means a temporary invasion of your peace.
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