Is There More to a Teen’s Messy Room Than the Mess?

Several months ago, I saw a photo on Facebook of a teen’s messy room. It belonged to a college student home for a short winter break and her mom was asking friends for their advice. Most people commented that she should follow the wisdom of Princess Elsa in Frozen and “Let it go” so she could enjoy a peaceful, argument free visit with her daughter.

The picture and the comments resonated with me. When kids are small, parents try to instill in them a sense of independence and responsibility. P...