Knights Becoming and a Lady in Waiting

Clean Sweep

Kendra is actually asking for some ideas... usually I look to HER for ideas!  She asked what to do when the kids aren't picking up after themselves.  I can't help with the spousal unit... right this second I see my DH's socks sitting patiently by the sofa waiting for ME to take them to the dirty clothes hamper.  But I do have a few tricks I use for the kids.

These are a few things we do when I remember to not nag, cajole, and yell.  Some are mine.  Some I've read various places and can't give proper credit to (sorry to the originator!), but have used so long that they're practically mine now, too. ;)

1.  Live with a certain amount of mess, but try to limit it to one or two rooms.

2.  Make it fun, especially with preschoolers and toddlers.  Use the "Clean Up" song (from Barney), or "This is the Way We Clean the House" or some other fun song.
3.  Have an "everyone cleans up" time twice a day.  We actually do three times, some days, but mostly we do before first nap and before second nap.  There's not much time to make a huge mess before bed around here, but if your family does, have a third clean-up time at bedtime.
4.  OreoSouza does this: use a timer.  If your family likes a challenge, it can be a challenge.  If they just need motivation, they have a deadline.

5.  Ignore the items and see if they end up missing them.  Sometimes natural consequences (what Dr. Kevin Lehman calls "Reality Discipline") works very well.
6.  Drastic step #1: Pick up after them and make them pay you (in time or money) for everything you have to pick up.  After all, your time is valuable. 
7.  Drastic step #2: If there is a huge mess and no one wants to clean up (or if the same toy/ item of clothing/ book ends up on the floor over and over), the item becomes yours for a specified amount of time.  My kids always clean up better after this.
8.  Drastic step #3: If things are STILL getting left out, consider that there just might be too much stuff.  If the kids are not in a rebellious mood, work together to pick out things that can be given away.  If they ARE rebellious, see Drastic Step #4.
9.  Drastic step #4: Kids won't clean up and they're getting a pretty good attitude about it?  Take any item they're not cleaning up and give it away or throw it away.  Warning: This one is not for the faint of heart!  If you use this one, you have to calmly stick to it.  You might want to make sure it doesn't involve the only fall jacket that currently fits or the book for the next unit you're studying.
10.  Drastic step #5:  I've never used this one, but I've toyed with it.  Get out the backpacks (or some other large bag your children are capable of carrying around with them) and put every item they don't pick up into that backpack.  Now they get to carry the backpack around for a predetermined amount of time.  (Probably won't work well with the littles, but I just might try it on the nearly-seven-year-old soon).

Some of these are, well, drastic, but sometimes it takes a drastic measure to get things started.  A routine (see #3) will help keep them on track between the drastic measures. 

One last thing-- and this is not directed at Kendra, because she seems very organized and tidy-- take a look at your own habits.  Do you pick up after yourself as you go, or let it all pile up and then clean up in a big swoop?  Do you have problems finding things because you don't put them away?  Example trumps instruction every time. ;)

Thanks for this!

10:20 AM, Aug. 31, 2006 .. Posted by PreschoolersandPeace

There are some terrific ideas I haven't tried here! I especially love the backpack one... that would be hilarious and poignant at the same time for my older kids!

So another question: What do you do about a 7yo sister who diligently picks up and her 5yo sister who dawdles? The 7yo ends up bossing and angry and the 5yo couldn't care less. When I leave the 5yo to do the job, the outcome is less-than-desirable.

Great ideas

3:00 PM, Sep. 1, 2006 .. Posted by Bahamahomeschooler

thanks for the ideas on cleaning. love visiting you so glad I stumbled upon you at Kendra's site. Feal free to visit anytime.