Tips on Encouraging Your Children to Clean Up

One issue most parents complain about is the fact that kids just don’t pick up like they should. No mom enjoys starting the day by stepping on a lego or tripping over skates left on the steps. Kids don’t really see a problem with this and, well, parents usually do. Yelling, screaming, and punishments just don’t work. Here are some tips to get you started.

Make clean up a family affair. Kids are more likely to help when you are working too even if it’s on a different chore. Turn up the radio and make cleaning fun for the entire family.

Stock up on cheap laundry baskets from the local Dollar Tree. These small lightweight baskets are perfect for setting a timer and sending children to run through the house finding things in rooms they do not belong. The one that fills their basket first before the alarm goes off wins. Then sort everything room by room and challenge the kids to put everything back in the room they belong in.

Hold the next meal or snack hostage. Yes, you have to feed them but right before the meal is done call the children into the kitchen and tell them that they must pick up before they can eat. Start small so they get used to this method without stressing out which can leave them to break down. A great beginner location is the family room or the first room you enter through the front door. Then at the very least, that is tidy if someone stops by.

Don’t be afraid to bribe them. Parenting is hard and if 5 extra minutes before bedtime or a cookie from the cookie jar helps get things picked up and keeps everyone in a good mood then so be it. Go easy on yourself and remember that in the end your kids are going to end up ok and learning how to clean up when it needs to be done is a bit more important than the means in which you get them to do it.