I cannot get my boys to clean up their rooms, or pick up their toys!!! AHHH! My daughter has no problems. She loves to help clean up, and make things look neat. I try to get my boys to clean, and they just lay on their beds and play. They complain, they dawdle, etc. I am sure that most mom's out there can sympathize with me. Well, today I hit the end of my rope. Madie jumped right in, and cleaned up all of her toys without one complaint. I gave my boys a whole hour to get their room cleaned up, and they just refused. So, I went in, and I cleaned up their rooms. Except that everything that I cleaned up, I packed up and put them away where they can't play with them. They already lost computer priviledges for their disobedience, and now they have lost ALL of their toys. I took the toys right out of their hands and packed them up. I feel like a mean mommy, but at the same time, I want these boys to learn that there is a time for play, and a time for cleaning up. Right now, all I hear is crying, and complaining under their breath. Looks like they are just gonna have to be satisfied with reading their books until they can learn to obey.
I have been there. We did that too. I think that is a male gene ;). My boys have a horrible room. I am actually going to tackle that in a minute. What I am going to do is once I get it clean help them clean it by showing them how to do things and where to put them. I am also going to make sure that they have proper containers for everything. I am hoping that will help them.
Another idea is to let them have 1 toy each. Once they clean that up on a regular basis, let them have another, etc. This might help. I have heard of some that pack up half their kids toys and rotate them. That way everything seems fresh.
And this is the best time for the little ones to learn. My children are about the same age as yours and we started training them a few years ago. I felt like a mean mom too, but stuck to it. Now it is just habit for their rooms to be tidy and once in a great while when the 'lazies' creep up, the toys get picked up and thrown away. After the first traumatic time, they usually get the idea that you're serious.
Anyway, you are doing a terrific job, keep it up!
I did the exact same thing about 2 weeks before Christmas! They were driving me CRAZY! I told them that if they wanted them back, they would get one plastic drawer for every good day we had. They managed to get them all back before Christmas. What I do now is I tell them their room has to be done by the time I get out of the shower. Anything left on the floor when their time is up, belongs to me.(for as long as I decide to keep them) Hope that helps! It is frustrating. I know one day I will miss their toys laying around and wish the house wasnt soooooo clean! Maybe by then I will have grandkids to make a mess! ~Shaundra
I have had the same problem with my son. He is 12 now and after several years of the problem that you have, I am finally winning! His room is kept much cleaner than it ever was before. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I did the same things that you are doing. Boys are just less concerned about their rooms than girls are. Don't give up! It will sink in eventually!
I'm glad you finally took a stand! Training our children to be obedient isn't just a convenience to us, it will help them later to be obedient to the Lord.
Okay... I am so glad there Mom's out there who actually follow through on discipline... I have a 14 yr old and it took a while of no play no toys and no computer but now .... He keeps his room clean and even helps me when I have to clean... Remember we want some day their wives to tell us "Thanks for teaching them to clean and help out their wonderful husbands :) "
Suzie
I know it's hard sometimes and we might feel mean but in the long run- it is so worth it & I know you already know that!! = ) There are many times after (or right before) correcting my own kids' behaviors, I remind myself that it is easier & better now at this age compared to if I did nothing & had to try to refine those same problem areas in 2-4 years from now. Continue with what your doing & I'm sure you will start to see some new & better results as time goes on. (((Hugs))) to you ...
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