Clean up

Our youngest children are 7, 8. and 9 - we've been incorporating clean up rituals into their routines since they were very young. We've taught them that they can't pull something else out until they clean up what they're using. We've also started them on a clean-up routine where they spend ten minutes before something happens next (like dinner, bathtime, getting ready to leave, etc.) to get them in the habit of not leaving things lying around. It's been working so far. We don't accept excuses because, if they had the energy to take the stuff out, then they have the energy to put it back. :-)

Give them some incentives. Since your kids are still small, why not offer them that if they keep their room clean for a whole week, you guys will go out and buy something for them. Do not make them expect money from you, or else they might grow on it. Or you can just do the opposite, be authoritative and let them know you're the boss.

There are four girls in my home. 9,4,3,and 1. All of them clean-up except for the 1 year old. I encourage them to do this constantly. In the beginning it was very difficult for them to comprehend that it was a everyday thing not just whenever you feel like it. I think it also encourages them to clean-up after themselves because they see me constantly cleaning up or straightening up something. I let my kids know that there are always consequences behind their actions which can be good or bad. I also tell them that if they want me to do things for them that make them happy they have to return the favor. That works in my home. An all kids are different and the same approach may not work for the next child. Just keep encouraging them to clean-up after themselves and the older they get the more they will understand exactly what the purpose of cleaning up is for.

I only have a 2 year old. She is pretty good most days about cleaning up. Now mind you it is mostly just putting it back messily, but I feel like she is getting the concept of putting her things away. We started with putting her clothes in the laundry basket when she changed. Then throwing things in the trash. She loves that. Then putting toys away. So now if she opens up her closet and it is messy she is like " oh messy; clean up" It is cute. You might just want to start off with a few chores at once and slowly add new items so they see it is fun. Plus we don't ask her to clean up we tell her. That always makes a difference in anything you do with your child. Instead of " how bought cleaning your room?" Say " It's time to clean your room" Good Luck!

It's that so if there is children at home.You can't hope that they will make clear up for themself.They are too small to do it.When they are grown up moer they will do it.

Give them an allowence!! My parents pay me to do chores or babysit. This way I feel like I'm not wasting my time doing dumb stuff. But since your children are only like 3 or 4 they probably aren't interested in money yet. So do what you have to, I would suggest instead of briding them just be nice and hopefully they'll return the favor. Hope this helps!

3 and 4 is still very young. Maybe they are pulling out too much stuff at once. Could that be the problem? Try bringing out only one or two things at a time for play, and have them put those away before they bring out anything else, and so forth and so on. If they bring out everything at once, they are overwhelmed. Think of yourself. You get tired too if you have a big housecleaning job to do all at once. Children only have an attention span equal to about one minute per year of their age. So you can only expect them to work for 3 or 4 minutes at a time at this age. Hope this helps. By the way, I am a grandmother helping my single parent son raise my grandson who is now 6. Good luck. I hope you report back and share your progress so we know what worked.

my kids are 8 2 and almost 1. my 8 year old he is pretty good at cleaning up after himself when i tell him to. now my 2 year old on the other hand lol.... I have to stand him infront of me and have him look at me and tell him he has to clean up and he still dont do it. I did find something that helps tho...i go in the boys room and hand him toys and tell him where to put them and help him for a few minutes and then tell him to pick up all the toys and put them where they go and all the clothes in the basket and let him finish the room with his brother and he does it. I tell him that when he is finished i will bring out the color book and crayons so that he can color daddy a pretty picture and he does what he has to so he can color. somtimes he gives me a hard time but other times he does a good job. hope that helped. happy mylotting!