Posted by little1, 20/05/2012, 04:17 PM
I have spent the morning and some of the afternoon trying to sort, clean and declutter my sons bedroom. It has now been vacuumed all toys put away and can see the mat. The only thing left is to sort through all the books in the bookcase. The only problem is that in a week it will probably look like a cyclone has gone through it again.
A few months ago we got into the habit of getting him to do a 15 minute bedroom tidy before putting on PJs, brushing teeth and doing his story before bed. I might have to start getting him to do that again.
Problem areas, a big one is Lego. He got a the Lego head storage container for Christmas and his lego still go scattered all over the floor. He has two lego containers and a couple of other smaller containers. I have no idea how it gets everywhere. Usually he will bring the bucket of lego out and make his creations and put it back in the tub. Think that sometimes Lego has a mind of its own. I have told my son he will not be getting anymore Lego until he can keep it in the buckets.
I think it is about making them only get one thing out and then putting it back before getting something else out. Sounds great in theory. My daughter who is 3 and 9 months and my son who is 6 & 1/2 are now coloring in and drawing. I keep all their coloring stuff and pencil cases in an IKEA cube. I think that is the key keeping like items together.
The reason I helped him clean up today is because he made a big effort and cleaned up a lot of the mess two nights ago. My husband says if he doesn't clean his own room then I will always be cleaning it up and he won't learn to keep it tidy.
Thoughts on getting kids to keep their rooms clean. I don't think there should be a reward chart or pocket money for it. We have tried this in the past. I think that kids should have respect for their toys and as parents we teach them to look after their things and keep their rooms neat and tidy.
This may sound tuff but I have told my son that he is not buying any new toys or we are not getting him any new toys until he can show us that he can keep his room clean.
Something that I am thinking of trying is any toy left on his bedroom floor will go in a box that he won't get back for a month. Maybe that will soon get him putting things away. There is no reason he can't put things away. We paid nearly $2000 to get built in robes put in his room a few years ago now. So he does have the storage. Unlike his sisters room which is a disaster zone. It has no cupboards and is half store room and half her bedroom. Her room will be next.
The motivation to get my daughters room sorted out is getting her a big girls bed. She currently still sleeps in a toddler bed.
I feel good that we have tidyed my sons room today. It is a matter of keeping it that way.
cheers for the day
