Too harsh a consequence? - Page 2

[MiaMama]

I am messy. VERY.

My problem? too much junk
You know that saying "a place for everything and everything in its place"? It only works if you really do have a place for everything.

When my husband deployed to Iraq, I put all of our stuff in storage, and took one suitcase and our 11 month old across the country to live in a small apt near my parents. I knew that anything I got would be gotten rid of in 15 months, so I kept it to essentials. I didn't buy anything or accept gifts (handmedowns) unless I knew exactly where I was going to put it.

I was much less messy, and I actually cleaned up regularly. Shockingly, I was MUCH happier living that way. Some people need a little "voluntary simplicity"

I vote throw away anything that is already broken, move unnecessary things out of the room/give them to siblings. It is not a punishment, it is helping.

[claras_mom]

Originally Posted by Hey Mama!

Oh, and my oldest dd is diagnosed OCD and likes to keep her room clean. She's also very responsible with her expensive toys. I know that I cannot expect the same from middle dd as I do from the oldest. It is hard for me though.

Was middle girl (the currently messy one) sharing with the oldest? Maybe it's just a reaction to having the room all to herself--hers, as someone said. I'd probably work with her to find an easy "system" for keeping things sort of picked up, but know that it's going to be a long term difference of opinion/temperament between you.

I was a messy kid and teenager--the kind who several times a year completely cleaned up and rearranged the furniture --now, I function really well in an uncluttered space (not that I always have it!) and look for ways to make that really easy. We have small trash cans (office supply wire ones) in every room. Clothes hampers in the girls' room, the bathroom, and the kitchen. Big, bright silicon tubs (from the garden supply store) for quick toy pickup. That kind of thing.

[Hey Mama!]

Most recently yes all three girls were sharing a room. We moved from a 2 bd to 4 bd in September. But, before that no she has always shared a room with the youngest sister. She cleaned up her room herself, when I went up there to start cleaning I was pleasantly surprised! I waited until she got home that day to help her finish, and I took something out of the closet and a huge bug* came with it and started running up her foot. That freaked her right out and we had a talk about how bugs like clutter, so I think she might be motivated to keep it picked up now.

Her room only has a bed, small shelf, a plastic "dresser", toy box and two milk crates of toys stacked beside it. I've decluttered her room considerably. A trashcan would be a good idea though.


*Lest you think we have an infested house, we don't. We live by a creek and it's been terribly rainy which is driving in bugs that don't usually live in a house*

[hergrace]

Is this the sort of thing that might motivate her?

http://www.housefairy.org/