How can I get my husband and two sons to keep their personal spaces free of clutter and organized?

Question

My husband of course works fulltime so i take up most of his slack because i have more time. My sons who are 5 and 8 yrs old do not want to clean their rooms and keep their things organized. What can i do? any advise? thankyou

Answer 1

Bribe them, once the boys see they are rewarded and they realize how nice it is to know where to find stuff, they'll think its great. Scolding is only make them think it is a chore that they have to do.They are the perfect ages to start to train them to be organized for life. Treating them will make them feel good about themselves. You can get further with your husband using Sugar than with Salt. Remember though no Sugar until you see results.

Answer 2

Don't try to change them, is my advise to you after my experience of 36 years of marriage to the same guy and having two sons. My sons are adults now and live on their own(thank goodness).

One is just like his Dad, drops everything where he finishes with it and doesn't care how much time he has to spend looking for things the next time he wants them. (He's the one with a motorcycle in his kitchen.)

The other son has finally got the idea that when you try to keep things where they belong you can find them easier and life can be easier. (He was the messiest when they were young.)

How only one made the change I don't know. What I do know is that it isn't worth trying to change people! I just kept their bedroom doors closed when there was company. If they wanted company they HAD to clean their rooms!

I learned(after many arguments) that it was easier to put all my husbands things in the cellar(where his computer, magazines, etc. are) then to even ask him to put them there himself. At least I know where almost anything he looks for is.

Doing this allows me to keep a neat, picked up, and organized house.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

I too am a mother with a messy husband and children. I have 3 boys and 1 girl. My husband works full time and sometimes has to be out of town. I struggle with getting them to pick up after themselves, but I have found that if I make a chore list and offer a reward such as money or going to the movies or bowling (something fun the whole family can do) they respond better. I am not saying it always works but 85% of the time it does and when we do a fun activity the family gets to spend time together which makes us closer. If rewarding them does not work then you may want to consider taking away things like video games, tv privileges, friends, etc. As for your husband he is an adult and all you can do is ask him to help out by picking up after himself. If he does so then maybe you could reward him as well, with a back rub or a simple thank you. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I agree with the previous posting; I myself had this problem when my children were the ages of yours. Took care of it how my mother did me. Give them instructions that they have to clean and pickup their rooms, give them 24 hours to do so and if not done, get out a garbage bag and start gathering it all, shoes, clothes, toys and all other items. Do this when they are not present. Then when they walk into their rooms, gone!!! Lesson, if you want to keep what you have and take care of it, then you have to put things in their proper places if not, since you didn't want to take care of what you had, it goes away. That was all it took, from that day on, they cleaned their rooms when told to and things stayed nice and organized. They did not get their items back until 2 months later just to make sure that they kept their rooms cleaned for that length of time. Only downside to that was their shoes did not fit anymore but a small price for us to pay while reaping the reward of organized children. Good luck and don't back down and give in. This lesson will be a lifelong reward to them.
Where your husband is concerned, tell him the children learn what they see their parents do.

Answer 5

I can honestly say there are some great articles on organization for kids and families on line. Better Homes and Gardens on line have some great articles and offer some solutions for organization that don't cost a bundle, don't take up a lot of room and are kid friendly. As far as your husband is concerned, well, that my friend you'll have to either accept or figure out on your own. That problem I don't have as he is the neat freak....

Answer 6

this may seem harsh,but when you are at your wits end may be a last resort - call a family meeting and tell them the problem with the clutter - and that starting monday (give them time to clean) anything you come across that is in the floor or out of place will be thrown in the garbage. and stick to it - when they come home to find something they value has disapeared because it was left out of place,they will get the point that you are not playing,and be much neater. lay down the law and stick to it - no one wants their stuff trashed :)

Answer 7

Unfortunantley you wont have much luck with your husband...accept the fact that he is messy and unorganized or you will lose your mind. As for the kids, all I can say is start taking away privleges once they let it go too far. Make it a nightly routine, pick up thier rooms.put away laundry, or what have you before bed or before dinner. Once they get into a routine you wont have to ask/tell it will just be expected of them!

Answer 8

Give them a certain amount of time to get their areas picked up. If it's not not in that time, go in with trash bag and start cleaning it up and toss it out. After a few times, they will get the message.

Answer 9

Help them to organize one last time, buy them storage containers to help out. Let them know that whatever does not get put away will be thrown out. My sister is the Queen of Toss it if it isn't put away. Doesn't care how much the item cost. Yikes.....

Answer 10

im sure this question has been asked since the dawn of family life. if you get an answer that works let the world know...