One of the biggest areas of ongoing argument between teens and parents is the teen’s bedroom. The parent wants it neat and clean; the teen wants the room to reflect the chaos he feels as he goes through the changes of growing up. The parent wants the teen to spend less time in there; the teen sees it as a place of refuge. If you let it become a source of contention, you may find that you are constantly arguing with your teen about that room.

Even little things in the room can become a problem source between teens and parents. For example, teen bedding often becomes an issue. Parents want the bed made; teens toss their favorite motocross bedding on the floor. Parents want teens to wash their own sheets; teens want to toss them in with younger kids bedding to be done by Mom and Dad.

The reason that the bedroom becomes such a source of problems is because parents see this as a part of their home and teens see it as a place that belongs just to them. Teens are going through a transition time in which they are trying to stake out their independence. The fact that Mom and Dad own their room makes it a battleground. As a parent, try to give your teen some freedom in his or her room under the condition that other rules of the house are kept. This can reduce the conflict in your home and make everyone feel better about living there.