We have some ongoing debates around our house. It’s truly amazing how persistent and stubborn my teenagers can be and I’m not at all sure how they came by that character trait! One of our most lasting and, as yet, unsolvable debate is the “Why should I make my bed when I’m going to get back in it?!” deliberation.
I’ve used all sorts of Mom arguments–the cats might get in there and sleep during the day and then you’ll have cat hair in your bed (kid solution: Pile the blankets on top in a heap and shut the bedroom door); Your room will look nicer and more inviting (kid answer: Who cares? I’m not going to be here anyway); Your sheets and blankets will stay fresher and cleaner (kid answer: I don’t care); and, finally, Because I said so and I want you to (kid answer: I don’t care).
My eldest daughter has put together some elaborate reasoning and practical details about how much time it would take her to make her bed during a busy, hectic morning and how much time would actually be wasted since she is just going to come home and climb back in it to sleep at the end of a busy, hectic day. For my part, I’ve tried the classic, “I’m a bed-maker, it’s my house and I believe in the purpose and art of making beds!” I’ve also tried guilt and pride: “A nicely made bed says I care about my world and I know it matters to my mother to have a nice, pleasant home.” I’m sure you’re guessing that none of those things are working on the teenagers.
Neither has matching, fancy bedding, new sheets, and other bed-ish comforts I thought might inspire them to want to keep their beds made and nice when they weren’t in them. In times of extreme aggravation and duress–usually associated with monthly hormonal changes within my own self, I’ve even threatened the “Dr. Phil” treatment of leaving them with a mattress and one blanket on the floors of their rooms. They know me well enough to know that my desire for lovely and aesthetic would never let that happen (YOU probably know me well enough to know that I could never stand for the retro prison look!)
So, the battle continues–I am looking forward to the day, far, far in the future when I can hear them complain about their own messy offspring and wonder why they can’t see the pleasures and purpose in making up the bed!
See Also: Where on Earth Did You Get an Idea Like That? and How Can You Take on The World When You Can’t Hang Up a Wet Towel?