After trying - unsuccessfully - all afternoon to get the kids to pick up their toys and other belongings scattered all over the living room, dining room and kitchen, I finally had enough.
I got a broom and started sweeping. EVERYTHING. Dirt and dust, yes. Cat hair, yes. Stray papers, yes. Toys, clothes, books, and other kids' belongings, YES! I gathered it all into a big pile and informed them that they had 5 minutes to pick up and put away anything they wanted to keep. Everything else would be thrown away. To add weight to the threat, I pulled the big kitchen garbage can next to the pile and started throwing away school papers and crafting scraps from the pile.
I've never seen the kids move so fast when chores were involved! They flew to the pile and gathered up their things. Sure, they only took them as far as the playroom and just threw them inside to add to the chaos there. But I don't even care. It's out of my living area and out of my direct line of sight. For the moment, that's good enough for me!
1 comment:
I have taken a similar approach, not with sweeping, but I do say that anything not picked up off the floor in said amount of time goes in the garbage. Works like a charm!
Post a Comment