If you always find yourself at the end of your wits telling your kids to clean their room but to no avail, then you are not alone. Many parents are now annoyed to see their kids indulging in time wasting activities such as listening to their ubiquitous music players, using the laptop and surfing the net for hours without spending enough time doing their homework or studying for their examinations. It seems that they cannot be disciplined anymore that many parents fear they will not be responsible adults when they grow up later on.
It is a given that parents want nothing but the best life has to offer for their offspring. This is why they resort to desperate measures when it comes to the important task of molding them. The succeeding paragraphs are tried and tested ways to make the kids clean up their rooms.
The first option that parents can resort to is the very popular reward method. Just like the classic conditioning theory of Ivan Pavlov, you must first prepare bait that kids would drool over to make the situation very interesting. If they are always spewing off comments about how tiring their day is at school that they have absolutely nothing left to clean their rooms, then provide them a good incentive such as a monthly movie treat. Let them arrange their books, fix the bed and align their shoes in the rack for at least a month to avail of the treat.
A bonus such as a monetary allowance or a new pair of shoes is reasonable if they can fix their closet for eight weeks or so without you ordering them to do so.
Next, change gear one hundred and eighty degrees and opt for the punishment method. At first, this may sound harsh but if you truly want your kids to have self-control, then you have no other choice but to give in. Remember that if they refuse to take hold of your reward proposition, bring things at a different level. Set curfew until they realize that you mean business. Confiscate their beloved appliances for a month if they still behave like stubborn mules. Early on in life, they must realize that you as a parent should be respected and obeyed for as long as you have valid grounds by which to base your decision on. If they do not accept that as a fact of life, then they are better off living somewhere else.
Third, set a positive example. If your kids don’t see you maintaining an orderly home, then they also have no reason to do the same thing to their bedroom. It is essential that you show them what needs to be done and why. This may be something simple but it works wonders especially if you have impressionable minds to mold.
Fourth, use colorful and kid-friendly organizers, shelves and closets. Your children will appreciate them since they are visually appealing. They will be motivated to store their stuff in these items in a manner that will surely make you proud and happy. If you can label their storage outlets with names, so much the better in order to emphasize ownership.
Now, with these tips, you won’t have to worry about your kids’ messy rooms. In a short time, you will see them having an organized living space worthy to be featured in home magazines.
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