Messy Room Tactician Gifts

"I don't know what he's protesting, but he's been on a cleaning strike ever since I married him."

College kid rakes up his clothes on the floor in messy dorm room

"There, all neat and tidy!"

"Never mind rehearsing for your first year at Uni. Get up now!"

Newborn Chaos

"Until you clean you room, I'm confiscating your iPod, your Xbox and your jester!"

"But mom, I can't clean my room now. I just won the Kids Bedroom Seal of Approval!"

Two bored males hanging out on a tatty sofa.

Ask Sadie. Actual questions from actual readers! Send your questions to asksadie@rudypark.com. Dear Ask Sadie, My mom is always nagging me to clean my room. I don't see why I should have to. I like it the way it is. I don't nag at her for having a clean room, because I know that's how she likes it. How can I get her to just let me be me? - Unhappy at Home. Excellent question. The thing is, it's your mother's job to shape you into a respectable person. If you think "being you" includes being dirt

"Bird of paradise, my ass."

'How can he remember 37 passwords but always forget to pick his clothes up off the floor?'

'You should apply for government relief. Your room is a disaster area!'

"We can stop the bombardment - the castle surrendered."

"Mum, I can't find my camouflage jacket."

"Dear Ask Sadie, My mom is always nagging me to clean my room. I don't see why I should have to. I like it the way it is. I don't nag at her for having a clean room, because I know that's how she likes it. How can I get her to just let me be?" "Excellent question. The thing is, it's your mother's job to shape you into a respectable person." "If you think 'being you' includes being dirty, that means you're a dirty, slovenly filth-beast..." "...who will end up alone and miserable because no liv

Pardon me! My being born was your idea, not mine!

"Your room isn't a rubbish tip! go and mess it up now!!"

'Really? My mum says my bedroom is a pigsty too...'

Playing The Youth Card

A 'Life is Sweet!' Moment

Antisocial distancing

'It's hard to believe her biggest passion is for a cleaner environment.'

I thought I told you to straighten your room. (Originally published on 2008-01-08).

"Ralphie sold me his car alarm."

"A banana Grace left in my room four weeks ago."

Bed Boxing Ring.

"Nice try, but you can't blame a messy room on standardized testing."

'I tried to clean my room but dirt doesn't burn!"

"Studies show that during teen years...it's more important to focus on character issues rather than petty things like dirty rooms."

'We gave you ample opportunity to clean your room, Billy. Now its been sealed off.'

"My parents know more about technology than I thought. They didn't believe someone hacked into my room and messed it up."

"Both of you are rotten and hateful—from a kid's perspective."

'Assault on Mount Stinky...now that's a big adventure.'

"Okay! I'll clean my room....but we both know I'll just mess it up again!"

"But mom, everything is put away. Just imagine that my room is one big draw."