Sifting through the mess

Re “But Mom, I Like It This Way” [July 21]: I am astounded at the spin you put on adolescent clutter. I stand for order, and I have no problem teaching it to my 14-year-old son. I try to continue learning about the mind and the effect we have on others, on the environment, by how we create our internal mental landscape as well as our external landscape.

Your article appeals to the lowest common denominator, relieving parents’ guilt over not teaching their children. “It doesn’t matter if you make a mess in here” will someday translate into “It doesn’t matter if you make a mess in your backyard or your corporate backyard or the Earth’s backyard.” Everything is connected.

Diane Rabinowitz

Los Angeles

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The article by Dawn Bonker so very nicely analyzes the dynamics between kids and parents. I read once an article about kids and rebelling, and the one thing I remember distinctly was that the author stated that parents should indeed nag a bit (to obtain a “minimum standard” of cleanliness) because letting kids know you don’t totally condone their messiness gives kids a “safe” way to rebel.

Jean Delgado

Forest Falls