Since my boys have been little getting them to clean there area up is a nightmare. They will help me with dishes, join daddy in the yard, take out the garbage, even clean the bathroom, but clean there toy room. NEVER! Right now there toys, the TV, and videos are down in the basement. It has a nice big family room with a fire place. It is a great place for kids. But, they destroy everything.
Please don't eat downstairs.
This one I can't fully blame on them because some days I am so tired of the fight that I do let them take some things down there like pretzels, but I still find them trying to sneak food down there to eat during a movie that they know is wrong like strawberries.
Please put each DVD or Video away after you watch it.
They throw them on the floor or let Levi have at them, so they get broken Right now I have all the DVDs in my room. They can only watch VHS and still those are everywhere, and Levi just broke one early this week. So many of them have the covers torn off that you can't tell what they are.
Please pick up your toys.
This is a constant battle that never gets done for me. I beg, plead, offer rewards, threaten punishments, follow through with them, and nothing. I have taken almost all of there toys to DI, so now there are so few it would take them 10 minutes to clean if they would, but they don't. Today I have begged for 3 hours, and nothing has been done. I refuse to do it for them. I feel they need to be responsible for at least one place in this house. When Jordan comes home and gets upset with them they clean for him. Why they wont for me is beyond my understanding. I don't ask for it daily, just once or twice a week. It has been 2 weeks since I asked them.
I have considered moving the TV and all toys upstairs to the bedroom and locking the door, and then putting all 4 boys downstairs, but I don't really want that. I want them to learn, and to take care of things. I could really use any and all advice on how any of you get your children to help clean. Please send any suggestions. If you don't want to leave it in comments you may e-mail me at jordanlisafuller@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance for your help/advice.
