ARGhhhhhh!!!
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| Wed, 12-19-2007 - 1:11pm |
How on earth do I get my kids to clean up after themselves? I am sooo sick of them trashing their rooms! Part of the problem is time. They are involved in sooo much that I just never carve out the time for them to pick up their rooms. It's part of the list of things they are supposed to do before bed but when we get back from an activity just at or after bedtime and still have practicing (instruments)and other things to do I can't find it in me to make them stay up even later to clean. Another part of the problem is things just don't make it into the wastebasket - candy wrappers (which aren't supposed to be in their bedrooms anyway), glasses with 3 day old water, etc. It's GROSS!! They also have far too much. In the past we've "blessed" others (through various charities that make routine trips through the area to collect) with things they don't play with or wear anymore but I get such resistance that I simply dread doing this.
I don't want to get in the habit of cleaning up after them and I don't want them to dread cleaning so I don't want to nag or get screaming angry. I also don't want to close the door and ignore it because then they won't know how to keep things clean (dust, vacuum, etc.) when they are on their own. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm about ready to do the garbage bag thing but many of their things are sooo expensive (American Girl dolls, electronics, CDs, musical instruments,etc.) that I really hesitate. I'm really frustrated! Maybe I just need to take some time and focus on this with them... Maybe I just need to realize I'm going to have to put forth some extra effort and bite the bullet.
Thanks for listening and letting me vent.

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Hey!
Rebecca
I am so glad I'm not alone!! I am by no means a neat person, but it's outrageous the level of disorganization and slop my kids (and husband, for that matter) can tolerate!
One suggestion is check out flylady.net.
That is Emily too a tee.
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Close the door?
We go through the same thing at our house.
Do you live in my house?! Over the weekend my husband and I got 3 large trash cans and set them around the house and everyone threw away stuff. I donated 2 bags of clothing also.
We also decided whoever puts a dirty dish in the sink needs to clean it or put it in the dishwasher every time, so the dishes don't pile up.
My kids tend to be piglets, too, so join the club. We have old water bottles around, too. I take away stuff like phones and ipods when this keeps happening.
Good luck
P.s. it's also a good idea to set aside just 15 min. every day to do a clean sweep of the house with a garbage can and just putting stuff where it belongs.
Kim
Joy,
I'm going to "borrow" this idea!
Wow.
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