I have three young children (10, 8, and 5). 2 boys and a girl. They are always extremely messy. They will not clean up their rooms without a huge fight, and they certainly don't try to keep them clean. They also leave various messes (food mostly) in other parts of the house. It is like they don't care at all how messy it gets.
My wife and I have tried punishing them (mostly by taking away privileges and not letting them go outside to play), but if anything, it has gotten worse instead of better.
Any suggestions as to what my wife and I should or shouldn't do? Personally, I am about ready to throw all of their stuff out in the yard or in the trash.
2007-01-01 08:19:44 · 17 answers · asked by volmike 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
My mom started a program where if things weren't put away at the end of the day, those items went into "Mom's Store" and if we wanted the item(s) back it cost 10 cents per item/piece... which meant that while a coat (1 item) was 10 cents, a pair of shoes (2 items) was 20 cents!
I don't have a problem with your "Personally, I am about ready to throw all of their stuff out in the yard or in the trash," although you may want to put them in storage, let the kids earn their things back... just an idea.
As far as the food messes around the house... My mom used to say, "No meals on wheels- eat in the dining room at the table or you don't eat." Ask the kids to pick up their mess... or it will end up in their beds... and they can wash their own sheets... You may need to modify this one, but it's an idea.
Good luck
2007-01-01 08:38:38 · answer #1 · answered by Yoda's Duck 6 · 143⤊ 5⤋
I think there was a popular article awhile ago about some parents that lived on the front lawn because the kids kept the house in such a mess. It got alot of publicity.
Set the example by keeping your own areas neat and clean, then start taking away toys, gadgets, and privileges. If they have an allowance, dock it until they shape up.
2007-01-01 08:28:46 · answer #2 · answered by Stimpy 7 · 22⤊ 6⤋
Make a chart or each child's name and the individual chores involved in cleaning a room. Give stars each time the chore is done.Kids love that sort of thing.
Offer a treat for every 5 stars.
#1- Pick up all toys from the floor and put them where they belong.
#2-Pick up all clothes and put them where they belong.
#3- Make your bed.
#4- Take off all the sheets everyday laundry day.
#5- put trash in the trash can.
I hope that helps.
2007-01-01 12:41:04 · answer #3 · answered by Cammie 7 · 42⤊ 5⤋
Wow! Kids really make life tough. I would pack up all of their belongings, except what they need for school. No t.v. and no video games until they straighten out. Each day that they make their bed and vacuum their room, they get one item back, they slip one day, everything goes back into storage, you have to get it under control right now, or you'll be like a dog chasing his tail. They should only be allowed to eat in a certain room, explain that cockroaches breed disease. You and Mom need to stick to you're guns and don't allow the children to play you against each other. Good Luck
2007-01-01 08:35:32 · answer #4 · answered by Cheryl 6 · 35⤊ 7⤋
It might not be a bad idea to take there things away that they do not take care of.
Toys that are not put in there place take them and tell them you're going to have take them and if it keeps happening you will throw the stuff in the trash.
2007-01-01 08:25:34 · answer #5 · answered by zen522 7 · 21⤊ 10⤋
when mine were small, we would have a day set aside on the weekend to take the kids somewhere special if they kept their rooms up during the week. place ideas from them into a jar all week and then draw one and make a day of it. (museum, toy store, pool, etc..)
2007-01-01 08:40:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 32⤊ 6⤋
When I was little my dad took away all my barbies that we're lying on the floor, put them in a trashbag and put them in the shed for like what seemed like years, then when he took them out it was like Christmas and we put them away after that, because we got to old to play with them.
2007-01-01 13:04:43 · answer #7 · answered by Birdie 4 · 15⤊ 13⤋
go in there rooms pick up EVERYTHING thats on the floor and put it in a trashbag and say if they can keep there rooms clean by themselves fora week they can get the stuff in the bags back if they dont the stuff in the bag will be gone
2007-01-01 08:25:41 · answer #8 · answered by Zoey 4 · 28⤊ 10⤋
go in there with them, and make a game of it.. ex.. " i bet you can't toss 4 toys into the box".. just have fun.. put on some music and get them all excited about it. then, when everyone is done, give them a small reward.. like ice cream.
2007-01-01 08:31:39 · answer #9 · answered by wendy j 1 · 31⤊ 15⤋
try watching super nanny. make a naughty chair or give them a time out depending on the age.(10, 8, or 5 min). After the time is up, get them to apologize. If they don't, put them on time out again
2007-01-01 08:27:57 · answer #10 · answered by harry d 2 · 21⤊ 29⤋
to command them to do so otherwise...........
2007-01-01 08:26:31 · answer #11 · answered by MissyFlexsy 2 · 5⤊ 64⤋