How do you get your kids to keep there rooms clean?

Question

To clean it and make it that way for a week at least.Because my 13 year old son can not do this simple easy task.If any one has any kind of answer that's easy or able to try please answer.

Thank You

Answer 1

No clean room no allowance works for me. They have more than that as chores but if the room is not done they do not get paid. I do not expect perfection but they have to show major effort. If after a two week period i do not feel they made effort no allowance for them they lose it. Funny my 5 year old never loses it but my 12 year old goes without. I even have to take the computer and tv away to make her do it.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Most kids don't keep their rooms clean because they have too MUCH STUFF and don't know what to do with it. Get rid of half the junk in his room and all the clothing that no longer fits. Find a place for everything and add a bookshelf, if you don't have one already. Check back in a month. If he still isn't keeping it clean, get rid of half of what is left.

As an adult, I have the very same problem and it's because of CLUTTER. Once the clutter was gone, we can do a 15 minute fast clean (it's called phantom-workperson) at night and the house stays pretty clean (including bedrooms).

I should add that I cannot stand being in a perfectly clean space. It's unnerving for me as I'm not a neat freak. So, have a little leniency if your child is like that.

Answer 3

Use a calm stern voice (no yelling) and ensure to follow through and be consistent. While my mother used a system of punishment and reward, I don't agree with that approach. If this chore/task is an expectation, then you need'nt reward when the child fulfills the request for something you are requiring the child to do.

If you need to supervise for 3 days while the child cleans, so be it. It may even be a case of the child not understanding your expectations, and possibly needs some reinforcement. If you do supervise for a period of time, and then the child refuses to clean again.. I would then use some sort of punishment.

Keep repeating the cycle and, I stress, be consistent. Always show them lots of love when behaving, show them positive attention is much better than getting attention for something they have done wrong! Good luck!

Answer 4

I have 4 kids at home , 3 girls and 1 boy aged between 13 and 18.
They are totally incapable of keeping their rooms clean despite much effort and urging.
The threat that seems to work best is if I say "I'm bored so I'll clean your room" then I grab the bin bags ( they always know I will get rid of stuff.)

Answer 5

My boys didn't want to keep their rooms cleaned. They were "their" rooms. I informed them they hadn't paid for their rooms - figured out the cost of their room versus the value of the house. If the room wasn't clean, I removed something valuable to them from it. Eventually there wasn't much left in their room and they wanted their things back. I said if you keep your room clean, you can have your things back - I paid for your room, I pay for your things - so you'll keep your room in the condition I want it kept in. When you own your own home, you can do as you please. You take things away of value from teenagers, and when they perform the way you wish, then you give them back. Simple, and don't argue about it - just do it. They'll earn in a hurry and you won't have wars about it. Good luck. Give him a few days to get the room the way you want, and be clear that if it isn't, consequences will happen, but never tell them what you will do if they don't perform - just do it and let them suffer the consequences. They decide to perform on their own if they want their things back.

Answer 6

take everything out of his room, dresser, toys (if he still has them) clothes in the closet, books, everything, and make him live with nothing in his room for about a month. if you can, hang his clothes in the laundryroom or something like that and make him dress and undress where ever his clothes are kept. if he makes a mess of that room/area of the house, extend it for another week. he will soon learn that you mean business and will also:
1. appreciate his stuff more
2. (hopefully) keep it cleaner after that.
3. appreciate his privacy.

my mom did that to my brother and it worked for about a year, then she just had to threaten him with that to get him to clean it and he'd usually keep it clean for a month or two at a time after each threat. it's the only way i can tell u that has had any positive results.

Answer 7

Give them a time limit. If it hasn't been done in time, confiscate anything that is left on the floor. Put it in a box, and label it "Mum's". As they learn to tidy up, slowly give them the stuff back. Dirty clothes etc, put in a special place. They are usually the favourite clothes left on the floor as they are worn the most. If they are not put in the laundry basket-they can't be washed. If you feel better you could wash them and put them in your wardrobe.
As other people have said, pocket money is another good bribe method, along with privileges...TV, computer etc

Answer 8

No one likes to clean especially teens. To get their rooms clean you need to stay on top of them and make them start cleaning from an early age. My son just turned 4 and I started having him clean his room when he was 2. He complains but picks up everything everyday, and started making his bed.

Answer 9

Haha. I don't know. Some kids are neat freaks others don't care. and some can only survive in a mess. LOL let me know. As of right now my kids got clothes all over their rooms and toys and they have a huge toy room.

Answer 10

If he does not do what you ask of him,take his favorite thing away until it's done!whether it be the computer,video game,favorite toy,tv?Take it away until he does what you ask of him.I know it's hard to do when you love him so much but I promise it's for the best.The take-away method works everytime!!BUT remember,in order for it to work you have to stick to your guns when you take away and not give in...this will send him mixed messages and kids can smell weakness from a mile away and won't take you seriously!

You can do it girlfriend!YOU ARE MOM...hear you ROAR!

Hope this helps!

~*~Pip~*~