Comments on: Making Clean-Up Time More Fun!

By: Sharon Vote

Sharon Vote — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:04:18 +0000

Have you tried a simple reward system? Start slow. If she can put 5 toys away she can have a snack item that she likes. If she’s like my girls, they like their nails painted. Sometimes I’ll use that as a reward to get their room cleaned up. Last week I told all 3 of my kids that if they could get their rooms cleaned up in an hour, we’d play a game for an hour. My son was the only one who succeeded so we played while the girls kept working.

By: Sharon Vote

Sharon Vote — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:59:20 +0000

I have used a similar game. I put each thing my girls were supposed to do to clean their room on slips of paper. I had thinks like “pick up 5 books” or “put 7 toys in the toybox.” I then put the slips of paper in a bowl and they had to draw a slip of paper after each chore was done. When my older daughter began reading well enough, she got to read the slips of paper for both of them. Skills: cleaning, organizing, counting, reading, cooperation.

By: danyele

danyele — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:26:02 +0000

i use the timer, but my girls are getting over it. i’m gonna pull out the dice! great ideas…i came over from Fresh Mommy!

By: CC

CC — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:19:30 +0000

Using a timer can totally work, but only if I am cleaning and “rushing” along with my kids…

By: Karen Mowrey

Karen Mowrey — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:33:34 +0000

These are great ideas! Thanks for posting them. Can’t wait to try them!!

By: Clemencia

Clemencia — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:49:11 +0000

Thanks for the great ideas, I have tried the music and works like a charm

By: Sam and Nate

Sam and Nate — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:37:49 +0000

I just started a new blog and your blog was one that inspired me so I wanted you to check it out!
http://littlehandsbigwork.blogspot.com/

By: Sam and Nate

Sam and Nate — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:13:48 +0000

I have a two year old and he loves when I get out the vaccuum and he has to race to clean up the toys before the vaccuum “eats” them. I go really solow and make it really dramatic:) He loves it.

By: Mariah@ Playful Learning

Mariah@ Playful Learning — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:02:11 +0000

Thanks for the great ideas…this is an issue I have been struggling with lately…

By: nina

nina — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:51:43 +0000

I like the dice idea as well. I might try it.
I’m wondering if you consider your girls to have easy temperaments? Both my children are extremely difficult. My two year old will more willingly help clean up but my nearly 5 year old can not be convinced to help. I get a little discouraged when I read this type of successful parenting tip. I question what I am doing wrong. It always leads me to the question of temperament. I was not dealt an easy hand. This is asked in the most friendly way.