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.
