Organizing a teen’s room can be a touchy subject. For 12 years the parents have been the ones to decide where to put the child’s belongings and how often to clean the room. However, as the child grows older he starts to develop his own ideas of how he wants – or doesn’t want – to maintain his room. So, how do you navigate the choppy waters of getting your teen to organize his room?
My first suggestion is to sit down with your teen and look at her weekly schedule. How much time does she spend getting ready for school? How long is she away at school? Does she have after-school and/or weekend activities? How much time does she work on her homework? Does she work or help out with chores? By mapping out her day on a planner, you can see pockets of time where she can schedule some time to tidy up her room.
After you work on his schedule, it’s time for a little introspection. What really irks you about your teen’s room? Is it the dirty laundry on the floor or the unmade bed? Or, is it the papers that are all over the room? Do these things bother your teen as well; or, do they just bother you? Everyone has a different organizing style. The trick is to find a happy medium, on which parents and teens can agree. When my reader asked me about this topic I thought about how I handled my teens and their rooms. I distinctly remembered that they would “hang” their clothes on the floor and leave their beds unmade. They would clean up when asked. But, during the times when they were very busy with their schoolwork, I would just close their bedroom doors, so their clutter wouldn’t bother me.
Next, think about whether there is a system in place for the problem area. If the dirty laundry is on the floor, make sure there’s a hamper without a lid (lids can be obstacles). If clothes don’t get put away in the closet, then place a coat rack or chair in the room where he can place his clothes. You may even want to consider removing the closet doors (more obstacles). If clothes don’t make it into the dresser, your teen may need open shelving or baskets (drawers can be obstacles, not containers). Does your teen have a workspace where he can keep all his papers in one place? Is there a recycling bin in his room?
While organizing takes time and effort, it’s a valuable skill your children will carry into adulthood. Your way of organizing may not be her way; but, by collaborating, you and your teen should be able to maintain organization and harmony in the home.
Happy organizing!