Scottish mums and dads give their views with many insisting they find it hard to change them and ruin the memories.
Dr Who star Karen Gillan recently revealed she moved back to her childhood home – and found her old bedroom exactly as she left it, her old theatre programmes were still pinned to the ceiling and teenage posters of Muse adorned the walls
Even her Daniel O’Donnell calendar still had pride of place.
There are thousands of parents out there who have left their children’s rooms exactly as they were, years after they flew the nest.
For many, like William Boyd, who has left the room used by his three sons (who are now 45+) exactly as they left it – right down to the mushroom coloured woodchip wallpaper, they can’t bear to tear down happy memories.
William and his wife call the room the ‘Peter Pan’ room as no one ever gets old in there.
In fact, a recent survey by Lloyds TSB Insurance found that 73 per cent of parents are left with a room full of their children’s belongings after they take off to university or move into their first flat.
And 45 per cent of parents admit they’re too emotional to touch their child’s room, while 28 per cent hold on to their belongings as they have sentimental value.
Chartered educational psychologist Dr Kairen Cullen said: “Flying the nest can be an emotional time for parents as they are suddenly faced with more freedom and must accept that the child has grown up.
“Often parents keep their child’s belongings as they’re associated with specific memories but holding on to such items can delay the important transition from an adult-child relationship to having an adult-adult relationship.”
However, 55 per cent of parents admit they have their child’s room earmarked as a guest room – and 13 per cent turn it into a study within months of their son or daughter leaving home.
Lloyds have teamed up with homelessness charity Shelter to launch a national Clutter Amnesty – encouraging parents to get their child’s possessions insured and donate unwanted goods to charity.
Read the full story from the Daily Record here
What will you do with your child’s bedroom when they leave? Did you find it hard to decorate the room? Comments us using our comments box below.
