About a month ago ds18 was having friends over for his birthday, and I asked what we most needed to change about the house, so he wouldn't be embarrassed...he said, stuff! Look around, Mom, there is stuff everywhere!

The paint on the outside of the house is peeling, and there are many other embarrassing things about this place...to him it was my piles of stuff. It felt pretty bad to hear that from him, and not just realize my messiness affects the kids, but he is specifically bothered by too much stuff.

I asked him about a week ago if the house seemed better to him, and he had forgotten the "too much stuff" conversation. And he did have his party, and the house was much improved, and all the kids seemed to have fun.

I'm sorry your son hurt your feelings. I know you are working on it, so maybe he is picking up from you that you all have the goal of getting to cleanliness. You CAN do this, 15 minutes at a time! Be sure your ds is part of the solution....my kids did great at throwing away some videos, and packing a few away "for my grandchildren" (someday). We got rid of some children's books, too. It can be done, and it feels good when it is happening. My home still has clutter, and honestly it will always be a challenge to get it and keep it clean. But we can all succeed at this...including you!