<p>^^ yes, IMO there is a difference between “stuff dirty” and “dirty dirty” - food, smelly clothes, etc. </p>
<p>I don’t think my kids have ever thought of eating in their rooms. Honestly none of them spent too much time there beyond sleeping, changing, some homework (they usually chose other spots to do homework) and phone calls. </p>
<p>We too pick our battles and I don’t expect perfection but I also think it’s appropriate for them to be responsible for their space to a degree (and not have someone else take care of it for them) . Like my S says, “I can clean my room just fine and like it clean - I just seem to keep it clean!” When he’s home he usually picks it up totally once a week, but true, by day 3 or 4 it looks like tornado-ville!!!</p>