What happens when a mum posts a video of tidying her teenager’s messy bedroom? Internet outrage. Some called it enabling. Others said it was love. In this episode, Dr Justin and Kylie cut through the noise and answer the real question: should parents be tidying their teens’ rooms - or teaching responsibility another way? You’ll discover what really matters when it comes to chores, gratitude, and raising kids who contribute at home without constant conflict.

KEY POINTS:
Why social media turned a simple act of love into a war of opinions
The difference between helping your teen and enabling them
How chores build gratitude, contribution, and teamwork
Why kids don’t always see what parents do—and why that’s normal
Practical ways to reset chores without the constant nagging
The surprising truth: sometimes it’s okay to just tidy up

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“The most important principle isn’t who cleans the room—it’s that everyone contributes.”

RESOURCES:
Mom tidies teen's room each morning, prompting a fascinating debate  | Upworthy
I am Not the Maid – How to get 5 Star Service from the Kids at Home | HF Article
My 13-Year-Old Doesn’t Pick up a Single Thing| HF Article
Developmental Milestones [Introduction] | HF Article

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Call a short family meeting to reset chores and responsibilities.
Use the explore–explain–empower method to get kids involved in deciding tasks.
Focus on gratitude and contribution—not perfection.
And if you tidy their room sometimes? That’s okay. Just don’t post it on social media.

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

 

What happens when a mum posts a video of tidying her teenager&rsquo;s messy bedroom? Internet outrage. Some called it enabling. Others said it was love. In this episode, Dr Justin and Kylie cut through the noise and answer the real question: should parents be tidying their teens&rsquo; rooms - or teaching responsibility another way? You&rsquo;ll discover what really matters when it comes to chores, gratitude, and raising kids who contribute at home without constant conflict.
KEY POINTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why social media turned a simple act of love into a war of opinions</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between helping your teen and enabling them</li>
<li aria-level="1">How chores build gratitude, contribution, and teamwork</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why kids don&rsquo;t always see what parents do&mdash;and why that&rsquo;s normal</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practical ways to reset chores without the constant nagging</li>
<li aria-level="1">The surprising truth: sometimes it&rsquo;s okay to just tidy up</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: &ldquo;The most important principle isn&rsquo;t who cleans the room&mdash;it&rsquo;s that everyone contributes.&rdquo;
RESOURCES:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.upworthy.com/mom-tidies-her-teen-s-room-each-morning-as-an-act-of-service-prompting-a-fascinating-debate">Mom tidies teen's room each morning, prompting a fascinating debate</a> &nbsp;| Upworthy</li>
<li><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/i-am-not-the-maid-how-to-get-5-star-service-from-the-kids-at-home">I am Not the Maid &ndash; How to get 5 Star Service from the Kids at Home</a> | HF Article</li>
<li><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/my-13-year-old-doesnt-pick-up-a-single-thing">My 13-Year-Old Doesn&rsquo;t Pick up a Single Thing</a>| HF Article</li>
<li><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/developmental-milestones">Developmental Milestones [Introduction]</a> | HF Article</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Call a short family meeting to reset chores and responsibilities.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Use the explore&ndash;explain&ndash;empower method to get kids involved in deciding tasks.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Focus on gratitude and contribution&mdash;not perfection.</li>
<li aria-level="1">And if you tidy their room sometimes? That&rsquo;s okay. Just don&rsquo;t post it on social media.</li>
</ol>
Subscribe to the Happy Families&nbsp;<a href="https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.activehosted.com/f/40">newsletter</a>
&nbsp;

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

What Messy Bedrooms Really Teach Our Teens

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/939f7123-00f1-4d73-8eab-b359003660bb/transcript