Another confession

I have a very powerful urge to tidy my childrens rooms when I go in to put away laundry. They are 6, 3 and 4 months. The 4 month olds room is totally my room to mess with for another 6 months or so... but with the 3 and 6 year old, I never know what is still in a state of play or what scrap of paper it desperately important. I want to nurture, particularly in THEIR spaces, the ability to have total control. They are children and really get to control very little of their day to day lives. Yet, I cannot shake the urge to clean it all up and put everything in the place I think it needs to go.

My bedroom was a total disaster growing up. It was not filth, as there was no dirt or garbage present, but the toys and clothing often piled knee high (not an exaggeration) well into college years. Bless my sister and college room mates for tolerating and loving me despite my mess. There would be a path to the closet, bed, and door as wide as my feet and the rest would be a giant mess. Thank you to Mr. T for believing I would change and not force us to live in squallier. It was not till after I had children that my spaces became organized and put away and I became, frankly, a little anal about tidiness.

I want my children to be able to play and keep their rooms how they wish. But I gotta admit, I also REALLY want to clean them all up and have them live in museum like surroundings. I suppose I can settle for the Master bedroom being a serene, clean, and organized space, the main living areas being a bit off, and their rooms a total shambles if that is how they want them. I can relinquish control of three rooms for three special boys. Their space should be their responsibility and their choice. If I can keep MY bedroom looking like it came out of the pages of Better Homes and Gardens I suppose I can call it a win.