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The Room Cleaning....

Cover1W's picture

This is posted on my blog but it's ongoing so thought I'd post here too...

SD12s room is a nightmare. She's now actively hiding dirty dishes and utensils in drawers and behind furniture. The last time this happened I told DP no more warnings. I will clean it the way I see fit.
I am trash bagging tomorrow morning.

I am going to also let him know his office is in a similar state and if he doesn't clean it up AND the girls bathroom this weekend I will follow through with hiring a cleaning person. And furthermore if the kitchen gets into the state it was in tonight (I had to clean to cook my dinner) this summer I will be buying all disposable eating wear next weekend. They have one week to prove me wrong on that and any backsliding I pack all the dishwear away.

I am so pissed I am coldly mad. Cold baby cold.

I think my mojito is helping...

Cover1W's picture

The OP was Friday night.

Yesterday, Saturday: 5 tall trash bags full plus one large box. All in garage. DP has not discovered this yet.
Decided that if I find more dirty dish and trash hoarding I will get rid of dresser and nightstand if not used properly.

Left a message with a cleaning person to come clean bath this weekend.

Gave DP warning for kitchen issue or I go ALL disposable.

Cover1W's picture

Today, Sunday.

DP asks me while we are in garage if the stuff is from SD12 room.
Yep.
DP says ok.
I said no more warnings, founds stuff hidden.
He says he knew of some of it but not the extent...then THANKED me.

Turns out he had told SD12 that if her room regressed to an inappropriate state again "drastic measures" would take place.
He agreed to leave all of it in trash bags (I did assure him that nothing put on shelves or left in ok places was moved ... Which leaves almost nothing in her room) and if she wants it she has to take care of the stuff appropriately.

He also agreed that if we find old food, dirty dishes or trash in her dresser or nightstand again she loses those items of furniture. He know she does not use her hangers or dresser for clothing, and nothing but trash was in her nightstand.

All hell is going to break loose when SDs come to us on Tuesday for thei first summer week. He knows and is prepared to deal with her.

Their bathroom is clean thanks to cleaning service. Super lady, will use her again if needed. DP paid.

Cover1W's picture

That's the thing. She doesn't have much stuff! Likely less than a regular kid! She just throws stuff in the floor due to sheer laziness. Wet towels, wet clothing (it rained the other day), used lunch Tupperware, hair from her hairbrush, candy wrappers, soda cans, torn up notes.

She has a trash can. She has been told numerous times how to hang things up, fold clothes, use her laundry basket, don't wear dirty underwear...she just looks at whomever is talking like they have no idea what they are taking about and SHE knows better (since she was 10). She will be on her electronics (she's down to just her phone and DPs old computer and neither are super nice). DP is watching her electronics use...she will be glued to her screen and surrounded by trash (literally) on her bed.

WalkOnBy's picture

this is exactly how BabyVoice treats her room. I pay for the damn house, and I don't want my investment trashed because she is too lazy to put things in her garbage can...

UGH!!!

Cover1W's picture

I'm fine with a messy room. It's when it gets to the point of so much old food and mold issues....it's my line to cross over (I won't tolerate pests in the house, our rental had many and I'm not doing that again).

I'm not cleaning anything, just bagged all up. In no order just one after another from one end of room to another.
She'll do the same thing as Fungus when friends come over, create a huge mess then not want to clean up. Oh heck you ARE cleaning up that kitchen...

Cover1W's picture

My greatest fear is rats.
In the rental house there was a huge, awful, horrible, smelling rat problem. I was fanatic about people cleaning up stuff, and that's around the time SD12 (then 11) started leaving food remains in her room. SD(then 9) just started bringing things in from the beach and putting them under her bed. That was fun.

After the rats were under control and the slugs (mostly during the rainy spring/fall), then came the flies (dead rats - don't get me started), ants, and mice.

NEVER AGAIN.

Just no. I get upset just thinking about it.

Amcc13's picture

I had so much dread when I say this updated post. I was like 'I hope cover survived going in there'
Well done you on taking back control of your home
Update us on sd reaction

Cover1W's picture

SDs are with us. SD12 went into her room and gasped.
Went to her dad and said something about her room being cleaned. And something about me running the vacuum. I told SD12 I did run the vacuum with DP gesticulating wildly behind her. She thanked me for cleaning...

I'm like, WTH? To DP. This isn't all on me. Well apparently SD12 has no idea almost of her stuff is not there. DP says to just leave it for her to discover and he has this. Just going to make sure he knows that we are a united front on this and that SD doesn't think it's all me. Because I would be seriously disturbed at that...discussing in a few min with DP...

Edit: Yep all good! We are solid!

Cover1W's picture

That's my plan! I think she'll discover the issue today if DP takes them swimming...her suit is in one of the bags...

Cover1W's picture

Well, I have no idea what happened.
I know they went swimming so she had to retrieve her suit.

However, I worked a long day, got home, made myself dinner, ate by myself on the deck, ignored everyone (at least DP remembered to clean the kitchen or I would have freaked last night), went to our room and read a book for a while, slept, got up and went straight to work again. I'll likely do the same thing tonight.

After tomorrow I may have time to interact with others in my house and find out backstory but right now I could care less.

Sad

Cover1W's picture

So SD12 did figure out that a lot of her stuff was gone.
According to DP she was "upset" but "got some thing out she wanted."
And complained about the usual teen things like how she's always in trouble and it's not fair. DP let me know he explained to her she has the power to stop it from happening again.

So I am avoiding the garage. I have a feeling crap is everywhere and the dishes in there are not put away.
My plan is Saturday to wash and donate ALL the remaining clothing. Wash and put away (in storage) all the dishes and utensils. No one gets to use them now. Because I'm not cleaning them again. DP will help me sort and take to trash because I am NOT cleaning up it all by myself...or wait. Maybe I just freaking leave the pile there. But it's in my way and I don't want the dishes thrown out (good stuff for future). I think DP will help but he's going to whine to high heaven. Which is why as I type HE should do it if he doesn't make SD12. See I get there eventually.

On a side note he was supposed to go to grocery on Wednesday to get food for SDs. Still hasn't done it. I went yesterday for myself only and made dinner for myself only tonight. I will NOT be buying food for them like last year. He can deal with it.

Cover1W's picture

See, this is where I was headed last night as I was writing that out...like, Why the h-e-l-l should it all come back onto me!

WalkOnBy's picture

Yup - toss it all on the curb for the garbage truck. SHE doesn't care about it, and neither should you!

Cover1W's picture

So it looks like SD12 got a few things out of the trash bags but not much. Most of her clothes, underwear and socks are still in the bags along with some nicer stuff like her new alarm clock, a nice bag, a nice portable speaker and perhaps the pieces to her hair iron set.

After some thinking I cannot throw all of it away. I am donating what I can, taking the tax credit, tossing most of it. The good household items are going into storage (easy to do from where the bags sit). I got rid of one bag into trash already and I have another ready for donation.

I feel good about giving the stuff to someone who might WANT and NEED it.

Cover1W's picture

...and now the SDs have the tent out. Which is fine. I just told DP last night that it better be cleaned up, all the contents put acceptably back where they were found, by the time they leave for BMs on Wednesday. Or else that tent will "go away."

DP says, "Don't worry, they will do it. They need to take it down too, right?"
Me, laughing incredulously, "You should help them take it down but THEY need to clean up their stuff."
DP, "Oh, I'm sure they'll do it. Don't worry."
Me, with a completely 'are you kidding face' can do nothing but stare at DP.
DP, "Oh don't be so nevative."
Me, "You are so optimistic it's amazing." Thinking of the days ago issue with SD12.

Cover1W's picture

Yeah I'm 99% certain I'll have to clean it up when I get home on Wednesday.

They are "camping" in our back yard, three nights in a row now. Gets them out of the house at least...I can't wait until a little break from them. We have them almost all of July...

Cover1W's picture

1) Tent was cleaned up...SD12 actually cleaned up her stuff early - because she wanted to sleep in her bedroom. So long as SHE wants something she'll do it. She also helped me take it down. Complained a bit that SD10 wasn't helping but I reminded her SD10 helped put it up, which took longer. SD10 was a bit of a pill - she actually drug her feet around about getting her things cleaned up...she's usually all over that (call it over-tired). But yay, no issues with tent.

2) DP FINALLY DISCOVERED SD12 IS NOT BRUSHING HER TEETH. EVER. He's pretty horrified and stated that she's got some "weird hang up about it" that he needs to figure out. He realized this when he got a whiff of her breath while watching the movie the other night. Yay me for making him sit next to SDs. He also caught her lying to him about doing it yesterday morning.

3) Neither SD has had a shower in over a week. They have at least been in a pool. But GROSS. SD12s deoderant is in one of the trash bags in the garage.

4) SD12s room is a wreck again. Old pizza (like half a pizza!) on her bed (at least on a plate) since I think Saturday, multiple dirty dishes again, total disaster with as few things in there at this point. We'll see what happens but she may lose more stuff as of tomorrow night. This time DP will directly assist if necessary.

Tuff Noogies's picture

#4, cover - H3LL YES he needs to "assist". and there should be no "may" to it, she WILL lose more stuff if it's not up to snuff before she leaves.

Cover1W's picture

Yeah, I'm not making definitive statements yet, because tomorrow isn't here yet BUT yes, all of what you said will happen if she leaves it like it currently is. I have NO issues with any hard core actions whatsoever.

Cover1W's picture

Yeah, I'm going to be PO'D more than I've ever been if I get home tonight and I find old food and dirty dishes in there AGAIN.

Just trying to concentrate on work today and think good thoughts to myself...

Salems Lot's picture

A conversation when my own kids were young because I was tired of tripping over crap and stepping on Lego...

If I step on one more piece of Lego, everything left on the floor is going in the garbage!
They didn't believe me!
The next day, I stepped on a piece of Lego. I picked up everything they left on the floors and filled an entire large garbage bag and hid it in the basement....Garbage day came around and their dad thought it was actually full of garbage and threw it out....

Although I never intended to really throw it out, it did teach them a lesson and they picked up their stuff when asked.

Cover1W's picture

Allrighty.

Get home last night, have a nice quiet dinner with DP.
After dinner let him know we are now going to take care of SD12's room again.

DP: What? It's a mess again?
Me: Yes, just like before; there's dirty dishes, utensils, and the remains of a pizza that's been there since Saturday not to mention wet towels, chip bags, etc. all over the floor.
DP: I told her to clean that up!
Me: Well, she doesn't do it.
DP: Dammit! WTH?
Me: We have to be hard-core DP. It all gets trashed AGAIN. Period. She's been told over and over and the last cleanup didn't seem to have an effect either - I also noticed she's been taking things out of the garage bags here and there which is NOT acceptable. Those will be moved to where she can't get to them and can sit until we can go through them to discard the stuff OR she takes care of the items appropriately (i.e. not dragging the bag into her room and letting it sit there). She cannot use the garage for "storage."
DP: Yes, I agree and I'm so sorry.
Me: We can only just keep moving forward.

So, two more large trash bags full of stuff. She has almost no clothes left at this point, all the dishes join the last ones cleaned out of there (i.e. put away so NO ONE can use them since she's creating the situation) and the THREE wet towels have also been washed and will be put away so NO ONE can use them. DP agrees with this strategy as it will effect everyone in the house.

He did ask me what I'm throwing away...I told him everything that's junk or looks like junk. If she doesn't get her stuff she wants, it will go away - this is non-negotiable. He understood.

The SDs will be back with us on Sunday.

WalkOnBy's picture

"The SDs will be back with us on Sunday."

and her shit shall be on the curb by Tuesday night.

give her ONE DAY to get whateverthefuck she wants and then THROW AWAY THE BAGS.

Harsh? Yep. Effective? You betcha!!

Cover1W's picture

HA. And Tuesday IS our trash night.
Don't worry, three bags have already gone away. And I don't know what was in them.
I started out with what, 5 bags and a box? It's down to four bags including the new two so I think I'm doing very well with the trashing (I can only throw away so much a week or we get charged extra and I don't want to do that to either DP or I when I can dole it out from my secret collection area).

I am collecting re-usable clothing for charity (no one knows where that stash is) so that's my only reason for 'saving' the bags at this point. It's purely selfish since I want even a tiny bit of a tax break....

Cover1W's picture

We discussed this the other day...he just didn't understand why she didn't do what he asked.
Me exact words....DP, there's been no ramifications ever, you now have to treat her like a 6 year old. Stand there and watch until she does it. That's what you have to do....

Good idea on the trashing in front of her. She's got nothing left so that may not work well... Blum 3

Cover1W's picture

DP wanted to discuss SD12 teeth strategy and cleaning issues with me last night (!).
And he threw in her excessive electronics use/habit too.

He is going to try limiting her use. If she wants more use, she has to clean her room and keep it that way.
She has to brush her teeth. DP is going to stand over her while she's brushing her teeth. And he wants to make sure SD10 starts using a more normal toothpaste (I think she can and is ready to let go of the kiddie stuff).

He's also set up reminders to make sure they shower every other day.

It'll be an interesting week starting later today...glad I'll be at work for most of it!

Cover1W's picture

SD12 has been back for almost two hours and hasn't noticed last room clean up...well, I'm in bed. She'll likely notice tomorrow at some point.

Cover1W's picture

Decided to not go so drastic on the household cupboards. I'd have to drill holes to install locks and anyway, I just told DP that I'll keep stacking the dishes in the garage until she cleans them...no one can use them. I'm ok with that - I can eat off paper towels if necessary. And I have my wine glasses so there are priorities. Biggrin

All her stuff is hidden, donated or trashed.
The stuff I kept is either washed and in stacks in my "Pending Donation" area or in trash bags (along with some trash I knew wouldn't rot and attract rodents...) where she won't get to them. DP is prepared...we discussed last night so he knows what to do. He's pretty mad about the whole thing, and her tooth brushing (she supposedly brushed last night but the 30 seconds she was in bathroom makes me doubt it...he's going to have to WATCH her like he said. I'll bet she didn't even open the new toothpaste tube.)

SD10 has a job opportunity though!
I hope she agrees to do it, taking care of our neighbors pets once a day while they are out of town...DP was going to discuss with her this morning. If not, then I'm out of any suggestions and won't help again.

Fun summer times!

Cover1W's picture

Pattern:
DP agrees that something must be done.
DP helps and starts initiating rules and expectations.
DP then gets tired thinks it too hard to do.
DP thinks then the ramifications are too harsh.
DP thinks we should help SD12.

Me:
I am done done done.
If we have any rodent or bug infestations it's All on You DP.
I will get the bags out and put them in garage and if they aren't out of my way by the weekend all of it will be deposited in her room and I'll never ever enter it again.
This has been going on since we moved in so yes, I am making a judgement about your lack of follow up. Absolutely. Basically then her room has been cleaned for her twice more how nice of us.

F it. I'm done with it.
So POd I can't talk.
I am done helping with anything.

Cover1W's picture

I am at the cut off point.
I already don't pay for things for the SDs. I stopped that last year. NOTHING.
DP knows she needs a swimsuit, shorts and t-shirts. I will not help.
SD10 will need a few clothes next month but he's going to give me his credit card.

I was going to get both SDs to change the sheets on their bed this weekend but nope. No more.

He's totally falling into that category of me being a "mom" figure; help cook, clean up, provide support, be nice, help him with transport, etc. But then I get NO say in HOW that happens or when that happens. So no, no more.

Any help, and it was minimal already, is now gone.

Cover1W's picture

Good morning Sally!

Dirol

For SD10's trip, it will only be me and her. Both she and SD12 know this.
I've taken SD12 alone in the past and now it's SD10's turn. She's fine - I have no problem doing this for her (she is the one that helps around the house remember and she doesn't have an attitude).

Nope, no SD12, nope.

Speaking of SD12, I was alone with her last night.
We had a little chat about her room...and her things...and adults picking things up, including me. She didn't say a word, looked a little scared, and I just very calmly, quietly ended with the statement, "I will not be helping with this again. I will not pick up dirty, wet, smelly clothes and towels off your floor which you should be doing yourself. I will not be doing this again. I want all this put back where it belongs, now."

Viola. Done. My point has been made and she understood where I stand and that I will no longer be assisting in any way.

Cover1W's picture

Ahhhh, DP made sure SD12 cleaned up her stuff in the garage. The box didn't get touched, so that was popped into the trash bin last night. Done. Whew.

8 days of SDs. I'm exhausted from the constant, constant noise, questions, activity, friends over...normal stuff. SD12 was actually pretty good the whole time with little to no attitude.

SD10 was pretty good but being a little bratty the last two days. I even caught her trying to sneak a knife from the kitchen into the tent (her TF - troublesome friend - was over) while TF tried to create a diversion. I was onto them already so stopped them. No knives outside of kitchen, no forks, no spoons, no glasses. You want something, use the plastic cups or your dad can get you some plastic utensils (which he will do before they are over next time). I was PO'd and told DP, who was oblivious to the deception, that I was really mad that they were JUST told not to take things out and they were actively trying to deceive us...NOT ACCEPTABLE. This is what happens when TF is there...I keep a heavy eye on her and she knows it. I let them cook eggs the other day and told them to use a specific pan, NOT the cast iron (they freaking coat that thing and it's hard to clean egg off). TF spouts off, "But at MY home, I ALWAYS use cast iron." Me, "Well here in THIS HOUSE you WILL use only THAT pan for eggs." I can see her becoming an issue around puberty and being banned from our house (she already was for a while but good behavior earned her way back).

DP said to me last night, "You want to watch an episode of Girls or something?" Me, "Gawd no. No girls. I want to watch something about kings, killing and castles. Men murdering people."

5 days off then one more week of SDs (cry) then 3.5 weeks free. I am counting it down.