I'd like to know what kind of expectations are appropriate for a 4yo and a 7yo. I don't expect perfection. I do expect more than what's happening now.
They have very few toys available right now. The places to put them away are labeled and within easy reach. I tried hard not to make it punitive, but said that they were getting a fresh start and we'd make it easy to clean up. They chose what came back into the room. So I feel like I've modified the environment for them.
My next step is looking for solutions as a family. When I've asked for their input in the past I usually get "reward me and punish my sister". So even though I'd like to work on this together with their input, I'd also like to have some suggestions in mind.
I was thinking that after a specified time, say 8pm daily for example, everything not put away in the common areas (this includes not put away parent items as well) gets put in a big box. It could be redeemed for something like 10c or could come out the next Sunday afternoon for free. The collected change would go to a family outing. As far as bedrooms-- Twice a week they need to be picked up and the door stays shut (so I don't have to see it). After the specified pick-up time, we'd do the big box as above. It really needs to be done this often just to see the floor. And because they always suggest it and in the hopes of getting things off right, we could do a reward chart for the first couple of weeks. Does this sound like a fair starting point?
I am not willing to spend all of my time picking up what other family members have gotten out for personal use and are capable of putting away themselves. I am also not willing to step over the mess that accumulates when it's not put away.
I'm wondering how much "help" they should get. While they are physically capable of taking care of their stuff, I also realize that it takes a certain level of maturity to do the things you don't want to do. And how would you help? It seems like help to them frequently means "do it for me".
They have very few toys available right now. The places to put them away are labeled and within easy reach. I tried hard not to make it punitive, but said that they were getting a fresh start and we'd make it easy to clean up. They chose what came back into the room. So I feel like I've modified the environment for them.
My next step is looking for solutions as a family. When I've asked for their input in the past I usually get "reward me and punish my sister". So even though I'd like to work on this together with their input, I'd also like to have some suggestions in mind.
I was thinking that after a specified time, say 8pm daily for example, everything not put away in the common areas (this includes not put away parent items as well) gets put in a big box. It could be redeemed for something like 10c or could come out the next Sunday afternoon for free. The collected change would go to a family outing. As far as bedrooms-- Twice a week they need to be picked up and the door stays shut (so I don't have to see it). After the specified pick-up time, we'd do the big box as above. It really needs to be done this often just to see the floor. And because they always suggest it and in the hopes of getting things off right, we could do a reward chart for the first couple of weeks. Does this sound like a fair starting point?
I am not willing to spend all of my time picking up what other family members have gotten out for personal use and are capable of putting away themselves. I am also not willing to step over the mess that accumulates when it's not put away.
I'm wondering how much "help" they should get. While they are physically capable of taking care of their stuff, I also realize that it takes a certain level of maturity to do the things you don't want to do. And how would you help? It seems like help to them frequently means "do it for me".