My dad would always brag about how rich he would be if he had a dime for each time he had to utter this command: “Go clean your room!”
It didn’t take much for my brothers and I to hastily retreat to our rooms for clean-up duty when we heard him making his way down the hall, but that was when we were 12.
Can you imagine having to issue the clean-up command when your kid was 28 years old?
A father in Ohio doesn’t have to think about it. Apparently, he does it all the time, and recently he was forced to call 9-1-1 when his grown child wouldn’t obey the clean-up command.
On a side note: Can you imagine how rich this dad would be if he had a dime for each time he demanded that his nearly 30-year-old son pick up his room?
According to police reports, Andrew Mizsak, who still lives with his parents, got into a tussle with his dad (also named Andrew) after being told that his bedroom resembled a pigsty, and that he needed to sort through the trash to make it look halfway decent.
The younger Andrew reportedly didn’t take kindly to his father calling his bedroom a dirty slovenly place for swine, and in a fit of rage threw a plate of food across the kitchen table and balled his fist up at his dad when told to clean up his mess.
When police responded to the Mizsak’s residence they say the elder Andrew wouldn’t press charges. According to officers, the 63-year-old fed up father told police, “Andrew is 270 pounds and I can’t fight him, we do everything for Andrew and he doesn’t even pay rent.”
Hmm… let’s see how many things are wrong with this situation:
First of all, why is a 28-year-old man, who generates a decent income as an independent political consultant still living at home with his physically fit parents, both of whom hold prominent jobs in the community (Andrew’s dad serves on the local school board and his mom is a city councilwoman)?
Second, why are two grown men fighting about a messy room?
Third, why didn’t the dad press charges?
The elder Mizsak reportedly told police, “I overreacted. No big deal.” The dad went on to say, “Andrew was sent to his room to clean it. He was crying uncontrollably and stated he would comply.”
Andrew’s dad also admitted that he was embarrassed to take police away from more important work.
As for the Mizsak’s sloppy son, he had this to say: “My dad and I love each other very much.” The younger Andrew also promised to keep his basement room clean, adding, “I’m lucky to be living in their house.”
No kidding.
So let’s review: Grown slob of a son won’t clean his rent-free room. Dad issues warning. Adult son pitches toddler-style fit. Police are called in to diffuse the situation. Man-boy breaks down, cries uncontrollably, and promises to pick up trashed room.
If this doesn’t provide new perspective to the arguments you have with your 8-year-old over his messy room, I don’t know what will.
What do you make of the Mizsak’s situation?
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