Are all teens slobs?

[soocool]

Now, I love my DD more than anything, but her cleaning habits (or should say lack thereof) is driving me crazy. She is responsible for cleaning her bathroom, that she shares with no one except with sleepover guests, and her room. I have started my spring cleaning and that means I deep clean her bathroom and her room once a year.

So I just finished cleaning her bathroom (4 hours to clean one tub and tub surround, 2 sinks, one toilet). She has a zillion of bottles of shampoo, conditioner, skin toner, etc. that probably have one more squirt left in them. Four mascaras, 7 brushes (don't know if she uses them all), 4 toothbrushes, at least 12 eyeshadows, many of which have crumbled, etc.-- you get the picture. Now that is all stuff that is out in the open. I opened her vanity drawers and almost screamed. It is also loaded with half used bottles/containers of various products.

So guess what I am doing later this afternoon? Going through all this stuff with her and making sure she de-clutters! Boy I sure feel sorry for her college roomate next year, but then I will have a nice clean bathroom for a little while.


Thank you all for listening to my rant. I used to be a teenager and of course my memory is not what it used to be, so I can happily say that I was never as bad as she. (even so we had 1 bathroom growing up that 4 of us shared).

 

[Puppmom]

What, she doesn't have 7 rusty, dull razors sitting on the edge of the tub?

 

[soocool]

What, she doesn't have 7 rusty, dull razors sitting on the edge of the tub?

No, only 3!

 

[asscherisme]

I feel for you. YES, my teenage son is a SLOB. And its not for my lack of trying to teach him to keep things clean and organzed. Its a never ending battle. And my 12 year old almost teen daughter is a slob too. But at least she tries. I'm a naturally organzed person and it drives me crazy! My younger kids are also not neat. I am working on them though.

I have always been super neat and organized. My ex was a slob. I wonder if there is a genetic predisposition to lean towards naturally neat or sloppy? Hmmm. I joke with my older kids that when they grow up if they get married, they better tell their spouses that their sloppiness if not my fault So my son replies "I'll just marry a slob and then you will have to control yourself to not clean when you come to my house". Nice right?

 

[Tuckins1]

Yes

 

[tyty333]

My 17 year old son is somewhat of a slob...I told him his bathroom was disgusting and he needed to clean the sink area.
He said ok and I saw him march in there with a spray bottle and paper towels. I check later and there was still mold/fungus(?)
growing around the sink stopper (gross)! I had to clean it myself .

 

[kittybean]

My 17-year-old brother is a complete slob! I have no idea what the floor in his room looks like as it is constantly covered with clothes, books, papers, sports equipment, and who knows what else. It is ridiculous!

The thing is, though--I was a total slob as a teenager, too. It took an even bigger, messier, grosser slob than me to get me to change my slovenly ways: my college roommate. Actually, I had a couple roommates there who inspired me to be much neater, if only so I could tell where my half of the room began.

 

[House Cat]

Once I was in my son's room, telling him his messy ways had to stop. While I was speaking, I picked up his comforter and placed it on his bed. Much to my horror, there was a plate stuck to that comforter with ketchup. I nominate him for the biggest teen slob award.

 

[manderz]

I was. My brother and I both were, and we both eventually grew out of it. It took him a bit longer though.

 

[Dancing Fire]

my two daughters are slobs... their rooms look like a garbage dump...

 

[swingirl]

My daughter was able to take a perfectly clean and tidy room and turn it into a pigsty in about 15 minutes if she was getting ready to go somewhere. She'd try on every combination of outfits and when something was taken off it would end up on the floor instead of back in the closet or drawer

But don't worry about your kid living in a dorm. They are all SLOBS! My son and his roommate kept all their clothes on the floor except for narrow isle for foot traffic, which divided their spaces. My son said his idea of "doing laundry" was spritzing Febreeze on the floor pile!!

 

[soocool]

Ok, so DD filled up 1 trash bag with stuff from the bathroom to throw out and another smaller bag with stuff that we can donate.

Went through her closet and she filled up 2 bags of clothes. Went through the jean drawer and 5 ripped/shredded jeans for the trash. Tomorrow she will go through the remaining 3 drawers (underwear, socks, sleep wear, etc....)who knows what lurks in there.

Found 3 unmatched socks under her bed, books, papers on the floor, used tissues on her nightstand and next to her computer(gross!!! ) At least no plate of food stuck to her comforter (that I could see). Oh yes, she has found those 2 pair of earrings she thought she had lost and about $100 scattered throughout her room (maybe I should go in there more often if I need spare cash).

 

[sillyberry]

soocool, I'm reading about your daughter's stuff and thinking "huh, that's not bad at all!"

 

[megumic]

I'd say most teens are more concerned with other things to be bothered to clean. But if you seriously expect her to be neat and tidy and clean, then I'd make her do the deep cleaning of the bathroom/bedroom instead of doing it for her. How can she learn how to get rid of the gunk around the tub if you just do it for her?

 

[soocool]

soocool, I'm reading about your daughter's stuff and thinking "huh, that's not bad at all!"

You don't know what I had to clean in her shower and picked off her floor this morning. She always forgets to flush and boy was it fun to clean that toilet. I had to launder her shower curtain. clean the scummy shower rod and scummy tub, tub surround, and fish out a ton of hair out of her bath drain and sink drains. Mirrors with streaks and makeup and steam cleaned her floor (it was the only way to lift the hair off the floor that I am sure was stuck on there with her hair spray, etc. Oh, and toothpaste glued to the side of her sink.

 

[soocool]

I'd say most teens are more concerned with other things to be bothered to clean. But if you seriously expect her to be neat and tidy and clean, then I'd make her do the deep cleaning of the bathroom/bedroom instead of doing it for her. How can she learn how to get rid of the gunk around the tub if you just do it for her?

Last time I tried this she came to me crying saying she can't get it clean and plopped down on her bed saying what a failure at cleaning she is, (drama queen)

 

[Acrossley]

I'd say most teens are more concerned with other things to be bothered to clean. But if you seriously expect her to be neat and tidy and clean, then I'd make her do the deep cleaning of the bathroom/bedroom instead of doing it for her. How can she learn how to get rid of the gunk around the tub if you just do it for her?

Last time I tried this she came to me crying saying she can't get it clean and plopped down on her bed saying what a failure at cleaning she is, (drama queen)

I do not have a teenager (YET -only at 18 months), but I do have personal experience as one My mom would take me INTO the bathroom with her and make me see why what I thought was clean was still gross! I would do a once over and think, "yea, this is good." After watching her and seeing the matter that collects in crevices and corners, I was much more diligent. Require that she observe you as though she were preparing for any other job!

 

[stephbolt]

I know I was probably the exception - I was a very neat teenager (I'm probably sloppier today at 28 than I was at 16!). I still want things to be very clean and tidy - I just don't have as much time as I used to! Not sure how much of that is innate personality and how much is growing up with a very tidy mother who demanded we keep things tidy as well. We weren't allowed to leave the house in the morning until our beds were made! My sister and I have both always been very neat. My brother is another story...

 

[luv2sparkle]

Out of 5 kids only one wasn't a slob. But my daughter is now 28 and she is very neat and clean. So, if it's any comfort, she will
probably grown out of it!

 

[chemgirl]

Haha, I'm 27 and I just recently grew out of it. I had a pretty lax attitude about cleaning when I was a student. I was busy and couldn't afford nice things, so it was hard to make myself care. I mean if I had a secondhand bright blue futon on a black metal frame as my couch and stains on the carpet then why clean? I couldn't possibly make it look spotless so why try? I was also pretty bad at my parents house...but that was clean mess. I mean, I'd leave clothes on the floor and stack up books against the wall, but nothing biodegradable and nothing that left marks on anything (my mom did call me her little hoarder though).

Now I keep the house clean because I don't want to destroy my new place and nice furniture! I also think part of it is embarrassment. If I want to have people over I have to make sure its clean! It reflects on me completely now and my friends have clean houses so I have to.

 

[Trekkie]

I have two words for you: boarding school!

I was quite a tidy teenager, but that's because I went to boarding school. They drill neatness and tidiness into you, whether you want it or not! My baby brother was quite untidy (nowhere near the level talked about here) and after one month at boarding school, he came home and spent a weekend tidying his room! My FI and his siblings all attended boarding school and they're exceptionally neat too.

Alternatively a stint in the army should clear this up!

 

[mrscushion]

I think maybe they are. I was pretty messy. My mom and I used to get in such fights about me never cleaning / tidying my room, ever. Haha! Now my apartment is pretty spotless most of the time because both DH and I hate spending time in an untidy space.

 

[pennquaker09]

I was never given the chance to be a slob. My room was cleaned for me everyday. So, since I was always used to having a clean house/room, I became kind of OCD. My hubby on the other hand is a complete slob at the age of 33.

So, I think it kind of just depends on the teenager. I had friends that were messy and some that were not.

I will say my first time doing laundry was hilarious.

 

[mayerling]

I know I was probably the exception - I was a very neat teenager (I'm probably sloppier today at 28 than I was at 16!). I still want things to be very clean and tidy - I just don't have as much time as I used to! Not sure how much of that is innate personality and how much is growing up with a very tidy mother who demanded we keep things tidy as well. We weren't allowed to leave the house in the morning until our beds were made! My sister and I have both always been very neat. My brother is another story...

Ditto. I'm very tidy; FI is not.

 

[zoebartlett]

I'd say most teens are more concerned with other things to be bothered to clean. But if you seriously expect her to be neat and tidy and clean, then I'd make her do the deep cleaning of the bathroom/bedroom instead of doing it for her. How can she learn how to get rid of the gunk around the tub if you just do it for her?

Last time I tried this she came to me crying saying she can't get it clean and plopped down on her bed saying what a failure at cleaning she is, (drama queen)

I agree with Megumic. I'd take her into the bathroom, explain what you expect in very specific terms, and then have her do the deep cleaning herself. When I tried that same tactic your daughter did once when I was younger, my parents made me stay in the room that I needed to clean until it was done. There was no way I could get out of it. They were very firm and it must have worked because that room did get clean and then I could get on with my night.

 

[ksinger]

I think most WOULD be, and are to the degree that parent allows it. I just know that I'll never know if I was really slobbily inclined back then, because I was not allowed to be, simple as that. The will that held sway in our house was absolutely NOT mine. I not only was required to keep a reasonably tidy room, but was expected to help with other things like weekly laundry, grocery shopping( after I was old enough to drive), bathroom cleaning, and light kitchen help. And before we had a dishwasher, washing dishes too. And the consequences were swift and unpleasant if I complained about any of it. I not only got to do it, I had to do it with a pleasant demeanor. I wasn't even allowed to LOOK sullen or rebellious. (I can still see that dangerous, steely gaze, and hear the dreaded words, "You get that LOOK off your face right NOW, young lady!" Gulp! ) My mom ran a tight tight ship.

Fast forward to ages 35- 45: For that duration, I had a wonderfully tidy, serene house of my own. I even have pictures of that time, beds made, everything in its proper place, no dog hair....sigh....I need them as the memories of those halcyon days recede into the hazy past...

But then....my mom died, I got a husband, a big black hound, and the house shrank alarmingly, and now it's just a constant battle against "STUFF". My stuff(that once fit just fine), HIS stuff (I have the rusting rear-end assembly of a MGB on my back patio. Can you say "Clampetts"?? You ladies with mechanical men who work on cars, know my pain) , my mom's stuff (OMG. I'm an only child, enough said). Throwing out a lifetime of stuff - of stuff that holds memories - is incredibly difficult, and emotionally draining. But THAT is a whole 'nother thread.

ETA - shrank vs shrunk. Grrr.

 

[y2kitty]

Sounds like she has too much stuff. I'd institute a rule where she can only bring something new into the house if she gets rid of something first.

 

[megumic]

I'd say most teens are more concerned with other things to be bothered to clean. But if you seriously expect her to be neat and tidy and clean, then I'd make her do the deep cleaning of the bathroom/bedroom instead of doing it for her. How can she learn how to get rid of the gunk around the tub if you just do it for her?

Last time I tried this she came to me crying saying she can't get it clean and plopped down on her bed saying what a failure at cleaning she is, (drama queen)

So then you just did it for her??? In my book, that's simply enabling her to be a slob. If you'll always just do it for her, why would she ever bother to do it herself, let alone learn how? In the most respectful way, you really don't have any business complaining about her slobbiness and poor cleaning efforts if you're just going to do it for her.

 

[soocool]

I'd say most teens are more concerned with other things to be bothered to clean. But if you seriously expect her to be neat and tidy and clean, then I'd make her do the deep cleaning of the bathroom/bedroom instead of doing it for her. How can she learn how to get rid of the gunk around the tub if you just do it for her?

Last time I tried this she came to me crying saying she can't get it clean and plopped down on her bed saying what a failure at cleaning she is, (drama queen)

So then you just did it for her??? In my book, that's simply enabling her to be a slob. If you'll always just do it for her, why would she ever bother to do it herself, let alone learn how? In the most respectful way, you really don't have any business complaining about her slobbiness and poor cleaning efforts if you're just going to do it for her.

I think you are reading between the lines. It is DD's responsibility to clean her bathroom and bedroom. That is non negotiable. She can be a drama queen all she wants, that doesn't make her get out of performing her chores. I do not clean for her. I do a deep clean of the whole house once a year and that is when I need to get into her bathroom and bedroom to do it. I expect those 2 rooms to be reasonably clean when I have to go in and take down the curtains to wash them, clean the windows inside and out, and steam clean the floors and surfaces.

I keep a clean house (my portion anyway) because I don't have clutter. DD has problems throwing things away. Stuff accumulates.

I am happy to say that by this afternoon she has done a great job de-cluttering so when she cleaned her room she said it was a piece of cake. (She still had stuff from middle school and she is a senior in hs now). Now she has the extra soace to store those things that have been lingering on the floor, like books and notebooks. Nothing is stored under the bed.

So now we have a lot to donate in terms of clothing, shoes, and books. I guess it is hard for a teen to part with the things that still remind them of their childhood now that they are growing up. Hopefully, she is learning and it will sink in soon.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I was horrible as a teenager but I'm much better now that I'm 25. It also made a big difference that as an adult I buy all of my stuff, not my Mom. People tend to care more about their thing when they pay for them all.