Room cleaning - starting the habit?

[harrietsmama]

I am a cluttery person, I have stacks of stuff all over the place. It's not so bad that the floor is covered or anything. I have done very little to teach my children how to put stuff away and organize their room. However, their dad is a neat freak and has no trouble with them keeping tidy. At my house, they share a large room, like probably 12x14? with bunk beds, a high boy dresser, a desk, a toy chest, and a night stand. They are 10 and 8 in a month. Their floor is always covered with toys, art, and clothes. I do ask them to put dirty clothes in a hamper, and put away clean clothes. I end up nagging them through it or doing it myself. I regularly talk about how we need to organize it. We are likely moving in January and I would like to start fresh, any ideas? I don't want to nag or play head in the sand any more.

[luv-my-boys]

My house would be chaos if I didnt get the boys to help out. Before they go to bed at night they do a quick sweep of their playroom. We have a few rules that have helped us keep somewhat ordered chaos

trash must be put into a trash can, we actually ended up just putting a trashcan in their playroom.

usually at least 1 time during the day we do a quick 10 min clean. Because the boys are young I give them specific task....x pick up all the legos, y put all the cars away, ....... giving all the children a specific tasks help them focus and not seem so overwhelming for them on where to start.

when I pass their playroom throughout the day I usually remind them to put away any toys they have played with and done with. Usually at least 1 or 2 kids will start putting something away.

[meemee]

i was the kid who hated clearing up and still am.

what would have helped me is if i had some company with the clearning.

my mom or a friend. and just do it together. or have a plan and a place for everything.

[Alyantavid]

I think you just have to make it a habit.

We do quick pick ups through out the day. Clothes go into the hamper right away on the way to bed, we have a fairly organized place for everything and mostly my kids just know that when it's time to clean up, it's time. But I definitely do help.

[Pepper44]

Get baskets or rubbermaid boxes of all sizes to organize toys, art, etc. That has helped us a lot because everything has a place to go.

Delegate tasks while you also help clean up. I think a large part of it is learning by example!

[Surfacing]

[meemee]

i empathise with you.

i have the same problem myself.

i do two things for my 7 year old.

1. i make sure there is a place for everything.

2. i either help her or sit and chat with her while she is picking up. she usually finds something to be silly about and it becomes a game.

3. i also ask her when she is ready to do it. a request not a command. that makes the biggest difference. she chooses the time and place. i tell her how i feel when it is not picked up and why i feel that way. i think that really helps her. i set a broad boundary. should be done say once a day or once in two days. however i dont really need that boundary because mostly she does it herself.

[harrietsmama]

Thanks!

We are moving this weekend and this is a good time to set up for new habits. I am so excited!!!