As much as we may hate to admit it, if our kids are messy around the home, it’s probably our fault. Our kids – at least in their informative years – tend to follow by example, and so if we are messy or don’t have good home keeping habits, then how can we expect our kids to be any different? Not only that, but if we continually buy them toys and gadgets, then the chances of them being able to keep their rooms, or other spaces in the home tidy, are greatly reduced.
So, how do we solve the problem of messy kids? Let’s look firstly at the source of our kids clutter:
Kids and clutter, where does it come from and how can you tackle it?
As mentioned briefly above, we, as responsible adults, are usually the sole reason behind our kids having toys and games galore, and the more we buy them, the less space there is to keep them and the more chance there is of our kids adding to the clutter in the home.
If you believe clutter to be a bad thing, then you need to show that to your kids by not buying them excessive amounts of toys, and by not cluttering up our own spaces in the home, such as the garage and kitchen. Not only will this teach your kids that you don’t need so many things in life, but it may teach them the value of money and to appreciate what they already have. Who knows, this could even go on to help them develop responsible attitudes and behaviours associated with money in general.
If your kids have way too much clutter in their rooms, then while some may be old enough and motivated enough to be able to help clean it up and eliminate what they no longer want or use, most will rely on their parents or other responsible adults to step in and help clean things up. So, grab yourself some empty cardboard boxes or trash bags, wait until your kids are at school or at least otherwise engaged and get to grips with that clutter! You will need to be ruthless, and while it’s a dead cert that your kids will object to having their belongings reduced, you need to
be the adult and be firm with them.
Getting younger kids involved in de-cluttering:
Young children may not fully appreciate why you are trying to reduce the mess in their room, but they will be keen to help if they have an incentive! A small reward can be offered in exchange for an hour of help at putting things away tidily or choosing items that can be donated to charity or sold in a yard sale. Show them how you want their room to look and have them keep it that way, you can reward them at the end of each week if they have done as you have asked.
What can you do if the mess is too big for you alone to handle?
Call in the professionals. Use the services of a cleaning company to give your kids rooms a deep clean, and tell them that their room needs to be kept that way or they’ll get no pocket money or treats etc.
Most cleaning companies have schedules to suit all budgets and timeframes, and they can help you get on top of the problem of messy kids. And who knows, your kids may just follow by example and keep their rooms spick and span…miracles can happen!