Please notice: all the clothes on the floor, the trash bag (why?), all the drawers open, the bed, the lamp on the floor, did I mention the clothes? The expensive American Girl dolls sticking out from under the bed. The mirror facing her bed, umm who can sleep with a mirror facing your bed?
I read somewhere that a messy room is a sign of growing up. It was an article about tweens. I’m pretty sure that it was in Parents magazine. I didn’t read the whole thing because, well, that’s just the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard. That kind of logic means that all grownups are messy and that little ones are neat. I’m sure they must not have seen how tornado-like the babies are. If I would have read the whole thing it may have had something to do with claiming space and making things their own. The kind of psycho babble I just don’t do well with. I don’t care though, clean your room!
I did read the side column with helpful hints. It had things like “shut the door”, “buy lots of baskets and shelves to help them stay organized”, or “work together”.
Maybe it’s because I’m turning into my mother. I expect more than just shutting the door. Having expensive things means that you are responsible for them (doesn’t that sound like something a mom would say). I don’t want to find your ipod laying on the floor under a pile of dirty clothes. Seriously, I paid good money for that clarinet, put it in it’s case and on the shelf.
I have learned that baskets are just a short name for quick-stuff-everything-on-the-floor-in-them-so-mom-doesn’t-see junk collectors. It’s amazing the amount of junk/crap/trash that I find in all of the “organizational” baskets.
Work together to an eleven-year-old is torture. Torture for both mom and daughter. I get irritated by all the crap shoved everywhere. Books under the stuffed animals? jewelry in your bed? paper stuffed in your underwear drawer? It’s a trial in patience. I’m sorry to say that I lose it more often than not. McKayla gets irritated by my purging. “Don’t throw away those pencil shavings. Sarah gave them to me from her favorite pink pencil”.
I know that I just need to be more on top of her. I need to make sure she cleans her room. Because if I let her clean it on her own whim, it will end up like our turtle tank; swampish and green, she’ll be sloshing through dirty clothes and trash. If only she’d do it compliantly without complaining and whining. If only that wasn’t a part of growing up.
Overactiveovaries 
I remember, in junior high, thinking you had the coolest bedroom ever!!! I mean, seriously cool! See, I had to share with my sister who was still obsessed with Barbies so seeing a tween’s room with posters of Sonic Youth made me crave some independence. My bedroom looked so babyish and yours was so mature 🙂 But, I have to admit, if I think back- honestly- your room was a bit messy (as was my own…and McKayla’s). I do remember thinking it was a very organized mess, though 🙂 You knew right where to find that make-up, cool clothes, or gel window clings you created. I thought it seemed like you had a whole wing of the house to yourself…jealousy may be be creeping in 🙂 Maybe McKayla’s mess is organized, too, and some of her tween friend’s are secretly lusting after her room 🙂
By the way- LOVE your blog…you are very talented with your writing (especially toward other moms- I can relate with a lot)…you should submit some articles for parenting magazines 🙂
Love the room, I remember helping you with her room way back in the Va Bch days. Miss you sweetie and McKayla–can’t forget the boys and of course Dave.