Kids are quick to make a mess in their bedrooms, but are often not so quick to tidy them up. For some parents, it’s a relentless battle, trying to get their kids to pick up after themselves, clean up spillages and generally keep their rooms clean and tidy. If you’re struggling with untidy kids, here are a few tips for encouraging them to keep their bedrooms clean:
- Don’t let them have too many toys, items of furniture or clothes
We all know that our kids don’t really need a whole load of stuff in their rooms, after all, they can only play with one toy at a time, sit on one chair at a time and wear one set of clothes at a time, so try to limit the amount of stuff that they keep in there, and they’ll find it much easier to clean.
- Make sure everything has its place
If it’s clear to your kids where each item should go once they’ve finished with it, then they’ll find it easier to be tidy. Having plenty of storage space means that there will simply be no excuse for them to not put their toys away, and they won’t have to fight to cram items into an already crowded cupboard or drawer.
- Show your kids how you expect them to keep their rooms clean and tidy
Kids need clear instructions in life and unless you show them exactly how you expect them to keep their rooms clean and tidy, they may not be motivated enough, or knowledgeable enough to be able to do it unaided.
- Create a bedroom cleaning chart
If you don’t have the time or the inclination to show your kids how you want them to clean their rooms, then you could compile a simple chart that they can refer to in your absence, to help them.
- Try to fit a short bedroom cleaning session into every day
Encouraging your kids to keep on top of the cleaning and tidying away in their rooms, will soon make it something that they automatically do every day. It will also prevent their rooms from looking like a bombsite.
- A bedroom that hasn’t been kept clean and tidy, is worthy of punishment
If there are no consequences for your kids when they don’t keep their bedrooms clean and tidy, then they’ll be far less motivated to bother doing it. That isn’t to say that they should be grounded or made to sit on a naughty step, but a suitable penalty should be fixed.
- Accept that their rooms may never be spotless
Kids should be cut a certain amount of slack, and you should be appreciative if they have attempted to keep their room clean and tidy, even if it doesn’t quite meet your standard. The focus should be on the effort that has gone into it, rather than the perfect result.
The reality is that our kids may never take pride in keeping their rooms clean and tidy, but at least we can encourage them to do it for the greater good of the household!