Kids and their rooms...

[frugalmel]

Ok this is part rant and part cry for ideas.

I cannot seem to get through to my kids on the value of keeping their stuff put away and the pieces together. (banging head here) Even through many many times of "if you had put it away, you would be able to find x piece" and threats, chore charts, etc. I get nothing but tears and drama when its cleaning time.

My son got a Nintendo DS from his grandma. Its a handheld game system. Its not a cheap toy. Today, after several times of telling him to keep it up off the floor, once even helping creat a "home" for it to always be kept in, I have taken it away from him. You would think that by the tears and drama that he was being asked to climb Mt. Everest barefoot.

I need ideas. How do you/did you get your kids to clean? If you don't have kids, how do people you know get their kids to? I am ready to do the trash bag shuffle here. (put every toy they have in a trash bag and leave them nohting to play with) I have a hard time with that because I too get emotionally attached to toys like ds does.

Dd is going through a "I don't want to help" phase. Someone please explain to my drama queen 4yo that she is NOT the center of the world and we do NOT revolve around her wants/wishes.......

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled programming.....

[sunshine]

We used to do a toy "jail". If they toy wasn't where it was supposed to be, or being used-- then it had broken the LAW, and it went to jail (an old laundry basket- in our summer kitchen). The kids then had to bail the toy out by doing extra chores. The toy was then "on probation". . . .if it went to jail again, the bail got more expensive (meaning they had to do more chores). . . . .and so on. . .

If the kids didn't think enough of the toy to do the chores and bail it out after a set time frame-- it went to Good will.

[Admin]

Melody,

I had much the same system as Denise. Saturday was room clean up day. When the room was cleaned up then they could go outside and play. If it wasn't then no playing. When I ask and it didn't get picked up the toy was MINE. If they wanted it back they had to pay me from their allowance. (which also teaches them the value of money) This works for the smallest person.

I also, rotated their toys. I let them choose so many at a time to play with, and the rest went into a box in the closet. When I noticed they were tiring of those I exchanged them out.

I think children have too many toys. I started suggestions to grandparents that they give money or clothing.

Let us know how it goes.

[braided-rug]

My DS14 has a new DS. His brother sometimes takes it from him so he hasn't had it much lately. He keeps it mostly in his pocket!

[lynn]

Warning* this is going to sound mean to some of you younger moms, but here goes.....we have 3 sons, ages 18, 13 and 8. If they will not clean their rooms, then all privileges are revoked effective immediately. That includes talking on the phone, having company and game systems go in my closet. Ignore their tears, when they KNOW you mean business, they'll stop. Don't for 1 minute give in. This is where that tough mama love has to come in. If you don't get the upper hand now, imagine what could happen when they become teenagers. I too am of the opinion that kids have way too many toys, too many options hence the bad behavior. I agree, I would put them all away except a select few and if they did not keep them picked up, they would be gone and need to be earned back. I promise you when they see you aren't going to be swayed by their tactis, they'll knock it off. It may take you a few times and be consistent, but you'll get results!!

[Deed]

WTG Lynn, I like your style! *thumbs up* ;D

And I don't for one minute think you are mean at all. Privledges need to be earned whether it is talking on the phone or a favorite toy to play with. Just because children are a certain age does not mean that they automatically get something, it must be earned.

[Admin]

Yep, tough love works Lynn. Appreciate your input.

[ellise]

I'm in with Lynn, tough love works