I’ve officially had it. I am sick and tired of cleaning up after everyone but myself. I ask the girls to clean up and it seems like a lifelong project lately. I have resorted to setting a timer. If the picking up isn’t done by the ending ding, toys get put into trash bags and placed into the garage.
Why such an extreme course of action one might ask? First and foremost, with only one grown up in the house, it is impossible to clean up after everybody. Second, I think it teaches personal responsibility. If you want things, you have to take care of them. If you leave that Wii game laying around, it will get scratched and be useless … and NO .. you won’t get another one.
I also think it instills a sense of family; you live under this roof so guess what? We all have to pitch in and work together if things are going to run smoothly. Moreover, it gives me a chance for a bit more sleep/down time. If everyone helps, then I don’t have to stay up late cleaning up everyone’s mess or folding laundry!
I’m also trying to teach the girls that with age comes priviledge and also responsibility. Yes, we can stay up a little late on Friday and watch a movie but in order for that to happen, our housework has to be done.
How do you encourage your kids to pitch in and clean up after themselves? Any hints or ideas? Please share your comments and ideas below.
Tags: Adrienne Osborn, chores, helping with housework, keeping the house clean, onslow memorial hospital, respect, Responsibility, teamwork, Tween Beat
My pet peeve is feeling like I’m “nagging” my children to help. Although we are constantly battling the same issues, we started a program called Accountable Kids that helped alot. It helps if both parents are on board and that’s where we run into problems as I read and get it and then my husband likes the Cliff Notes version and doesn’t quite get what I’m trying to share. I know it’s a life process, but I also know to raise independent and helpful children I need to stop choosing the battle and giving in to free maid service!;) Good luck and know you’re not alone!
OMG I love it .. just got done ordering the deluxe package. I’ll let you know what I think!! Thanx so much for the recommendation!!!
No problem! My friends that have used it love it, as do we… it’s making it a habit and enduring through the challenges while changing.;) Keep me posted what you think and how it’s working!
Since my son is now 19, I can speak to you about this from the future . . . .
When he is home from college, I STILL have to nag him to pick up his clothes and put his dishes in the dishwasher and not put his wet towels on the floor, etc., etc., etc. The only difference is that he has become much more immune to my nagging . . . I mean, my polite asking.
It’s not that he doesn’t know HOW to do these things. For 17 years, we have worked on learning responsibility and follow through. He has been taught. He knows the principles. He simply chooses not to apply them.
On the other hand, his managers at work rave about what a hard working, responsible young man he is. And every so often, I’ll come home to see he has not only cleaned his room and bathroom, but vacuumed the rest of the house without being asked. Or made dinner. Or cleaned up the kitched. Or taken it upon himself to weed the flower gardens in the front yard.
I tell this story so you’ll know that your kids really do learn the lessons you present them with and spend so much effort trying to get them to understand . . . EVEN THOUGH their behavior may not evidence it perfectly. 10 years from now, you’ll probably still be reminding them to pick up their stuff and take the garbage out. But that won’t mean that they haven’t learned how to be responsible.
lol … I would like to publicly apologize to my mother. I really could have taken the extra 2 steps to throw my clothes in the hamper and not on the floor!! Thanx for the honesty Trin … lol … though not much to look forward to
My kit is supposed to be here next week; we shall see how it goes!!