ARGhhhhhh!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
ARGhhhhhh!!!
12
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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Avatar for snowbabies97_98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: amibee64
Wed, 12-19-2007 - 3:01pm

Hey!

Rebecca

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
In reply to: amibee64
Wed, 12-19-2007 - 3:22pm
I know what you mean......... maybe you could try one room at a time.... i know its not going to be easy but one room at a time and have them help you. instead of you doing it all.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2001
In reply to: amibee64
Wed, 12-19-2007 - 4:12pm

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
In reply to: amibee64
Thu, 12-20-2007 - 8:50am

That is Emily too a tee.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: amibee64
Thu, 12-20-2007 - 9:38am
Well, Christmas break is beginning...I see two weeks of down time in your future, perhaps this would be a good time to get on top of things!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
In reply to: amibee64
Thu, 12-20-2007 - 9:56am

Close the door?

Community Leader
Registered: 07-26-1999
In reply to: amibee64
Thu, 12-20-2007 - 1:23pm

We go through the same thing at our house.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2007
In reply to: amibee64
Thu, 12-20-2007 - 4:54pm

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

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Avatar for sesamemom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: amibee64
Thu, 12-20-2007 - 8:14pm

Joy,


I'm going to "borrow" this idea!

Thanks to Kelly (mom2emsopmax) for my beautiful siggy! Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
In reply to: amibee64
Fri, 12-21-2007 - 12:28pm

Wow.

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