My girls will be 2 and 3 in April. They pick up their toys but I have a hard time getting them to do so. I usually have to tell them 3 or 4 times before they even attempt to put something away. Does this ever end?
2007-01-12 02:54:38 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Do they at least stop taking couch cousins off to make a fort? lol
2007-01-12 02:58:15 · update #1
couch cushions
2007-01-12 02:58:29 · update #2
Ok you can either nag them and a battle will ensue you will either concede because its easier to pick them up than argue or they will concede for the same reason.
or
You can assert your authority. You tell them clearly of what the consequences will be if they don't
For example.
"Can you tidy your toys away now please."
"No i dont want to no no way never"
"Ok every toy that is not tidied away will be put in (garage/bin/loft etc) and you wont be able to play with them again"
You could also use the:
"Well if you're not going to look after them we shall have to give them to someone who will"
The important thing is to carry out your proposed sanctions or you will only make matters worse so choose them carefully. Never back down or concede stick with it as long as it takes and keep your temper. It gets easier however once they have been with Grandmothers that spoil them etc you will have to repair the damage again.
I once had it described to me as trying to cover a wall with snowballs. Each time a little bit stcks but most of it slides off so basically you can either keep throwing them or just give up and see what happens.
Also a tip I got from a great teacher is to never loose your temper but make a decision to appear that you are loosing your temper. This way you can be assertive in that manner without the stress or anger.
Being a parent is really really hard isn't it. I love it though personally I just cant get enough of them.
2007-01-12 03:08:07 · answer #1 · answered by Bohdisatva 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Every child is different.
My daughter who is 2 1/2, is a picky little thing, and a neat freak (I think she got those traits from me...). But, she generally picks up her toys on her own, or after I ask once or twice.
If she does get in that rare mood where she does not want to pick up toys, and does not even want to help me pick them up, then..... all the toys I pick up go up and she can't play with them for the rest of the day. I have only had to do this a few times, and now she knows I'm serious, and would rather help pick up then to loose her favorite toys for the day.
2007-01-12 06:03:01 · answer #2 · answered by star22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL, I have "forts" in the middle of my living room all the time too. I have a hard time with my two too. I try to make a game out of it. If someone has a special trick, I'd love to know what it is. My daughter helps pick up at nursery school without complaining.
2007-01-12 03:19:15 · answer #3 · answered by Melissa R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be consistant with the girls. That is the key make it a game to pick up there toys. Like lets pick up all the pink toys first then all the blue, green etc.
mom0f4
2007-01-12 02:59:29 · answer #4 · answered by mary3127 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if they ever will do it completely on their own as children. I know that cleaning can at times seem a little overwhelming to me so I can only imagine how overwhelming it must seem to a young child. Because of this I have always tried to make it fun for my daughter. We turn on loud music and do it together as we dance and sing. Or we play a racing game. I time how long it takes her to put all her dolls away, then all her games, then all her blocks, etc. She tries to beat whatever goal I set for her. I also try to teach her that she has to do what needs to be done before she can do what she enjoys doing.
2007-01-12 03:16:09 · answer #5 · answered by funlovinlady27 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably never. You might only have to aske them 2 or 3 times, rather than 3 or 4, though :)
2007-01-12 03:15:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My girls are also 2 and 3 and they NEVER pick up their toys without being told or coaxed. My son is 7 and he still doesn't clean up until told. But my best friend's daughter is 7 and her room is always SPOTLESS! I guess it depends on each child.
2007-01-12 03:05:32 · answer #7 · answered by downinmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really, my neice and nephew are good at putting their toys away by themselves and they are 5 and 7 but it usually the 7yrold telling the 5 yr old to help him do it and she does it better when he asks than when anyone else.
2007-01-12 02:58:34 · answer #8 · answered by mdoud01 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Seriously, it depends on the kid. Some will develop a tidy nature and pick things up, and some will still be leaving stuff lying around when they 're fifty.
(Couch COUSINS???? You mean CUSHIONS, right? No---I still do that!)
2007-01-12 02:57:29 · answer #9 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This never ends!! haha
Just keep on them, they are still little to totally understand. But practice makes perfect.
Mother of a 17, 12, and 7 year old!!
2007-01-12 03:50:19 · answer #10 · answered by little fairy lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋