Clean Room?

O.K. so Addison is in the stage of her life where she has to transition from mom and dad picking up after her to picking up after herself. Once we began this dreaded fiasco about 1 and a half years ago she has been a beast when it comes to cleaning up her stuff. We would literally have to shut the door to her room and make her stay in there until it was picked up. Granted, I'm not an unrealistic person and I don't expect her to have the books nicely stacked on her shelf or the boxes organized or anything I just want her to take a little pride and responsibility for her stuff. So, the last time we asked her to clean her room she threw a little fit (not a huge one which is progress) and soon realized that she would be in her room the entire evening if she didn't actually DO something. So, much to Jeremy and I's surprise she began scouring the house for her "stuff" and diligently cleaning her room. I was SO impressed and sighed a big sigh of relief when I saw her working so hard. When the job was complete she excitedly ran to get Jeremy and I and proudly show us her "clean" room. Much to our surprise it was a lot better than I thought it would be, that is until she said, "You just can't look in the closet!" I would love to have a picture of my face at that very moment because I'm sure it was a mixture of a laugh and frustration. Apparently we still have a ways to go in the "how-tos" of cleaning a room. So, as any mother would I very carefully opened her closet doors to discover toys, clothes, books, games, shoes, etc . . . piled up higher than I think she could reach. Jeremy had to leave due to the huge smile he had on his face and I had to hold in the giggles. I calmly explained to Addison that I was proud of her for cleaning her room but stuffing everything in the closet is not what mommy and daddy meant by a clean room. Not only had she just stuffed her entire room in a small space but now she has created more work for mommy in sorting all of it out. However, punishment was not given due to her diligent efforts. So, today when I asked her to clean her room she explained that she really didn't want to but I assured her that it was necessary if she wanted her aunt and uncle to come over this evening. So, she set to work after I had explained that she was NOT to throw everything in the closet. Again, after a span of about 20 minutes she excitedly ran to get me and explain that her room was clean and it wasn't all in the closet. I hesitantly walked toward her room with the hope that she did not have piles in the closet. However, she was correct - ALL of it wasn't in the closet but stuffed in other fun little corners of her room. She had a pile behind her table, in the closet and by her bed but the floor was clean and she was happy. I decided to put my happy mommy face on, tell her what a good girl she was and decide that it was progress and that I would let her "claim" her clean room and take ownership of it without mommy coming in and telling her everything that she did wrong. I think I'm finally beginning to understand my daughter and am so thrilled that I've learned if I keep my emotions toward certain situations in check she will react in a much better way. Yeah - it's taken me 4 years.

Stuff on her desk and by her bed

Things stacked on the "right" side of her closet

The last time it was the left side
Stuffed animals piled up behind her table