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Cleaning Bedrooms
- This topic has 19 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 4 months ago by
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Yes, most kids do trash they’re rooms when playing. Actually when creatively involved in mind and play, it is to be expected when they are young.
However, there are some tricks to contain the chaos. Here goes:
-have some toys stored (I use clear plastic drawer storage, as well as baskets) and locked away and rotate them with the other in-use toys when desired (this works well for little ones)
-if kids are a little older, explain the toy rotation and have them make a choice on which toy (or two) they want to bring out. It should be put away after the day is done. I have a toy list posted in their closet to help them decide. Example: dollhouse, playing school materials, American girl toys, legos, etc.
-I have my kids do a light pick up of floor everyday, sometimes twice if it has been an extra creative day. 🙂
My kids rooms are not perfect all the time, and I have learned to be ok with that as long as they are learning to clean it well when they are supposed to. Also, it helps to get RID of some toys every few months. 🙂
HTH!
I do not mind hearing from a Nelly Know It All one bit! It’s actually very helpful to have someone from the outside looking in to put forth ideas that might work for us. And aren’t all of us moms here great teachers? I’d rather learn something from a Nelly Know It All than waste time listening to a Nora Know Nothing.
Sue
You’re sweet, Sue. I am learning that true wisdom is knowing that we don’t know it all…and need to rely on Him. My other nickname is Nelly Belly and it fits since I have had seven children. My husband and I once saw a boat with Nelly Belly painted on it. I was so excited and shouted at the boat man on board, “Hey, my name is Nelly Belly too.” He just looked quizzically at me like, “And your proud of that?” I am proud. Since my twin is moving out of the country this weekend, I will probably be posting here more often to you all for a little sisterhood. I have been very blessed by the atmosphere of this discussion forum. It is nice having like minded people to discuss important topics like bedroom cleaning.
Oh, I read in a biography of Ulysses Grant (by Albert Marrin) last month how he nightly had barrack inspections of his own children’s bedrooms.
Gotta go inspect those bedrooms,
Nelly Belly
Haven’t read the other replies, but…
We don’t keep toys in the bedroom. DD5y and DS20mo share a room. We have a guest room that a few toys are in but most of the toys are in the living area or a play space in the unfinished basement. As far as general cleaning up goes, if it gets too bad, I just tell DD that she should pick up and put away the toys she wants to keep and mommy will take care of the rest after she goes to bed. The ‘rest’ goes into a big rubbermaid container labeled ‘donate’. I have donated several of these large containers in the last 2 years or so. I did have to work up to it a little bit by hiding them in the basement until I could go through and sort what was actually donate-able stuff and what got thrown out, but that gave me time to be ok with parting with things that so and so had bought her and shouldn’t we keep it, blah blah blah. Oh, and we have some stuff sorted out like a craft bin for colors, scissors, etc, a tub for trains, one for blocks and one for puzzles. The stuffed animals, dress up clothes, dolls, and random junk toys go in a toy box. DD is, and has been for a couple years now perfectly capable of sorting the toys as she puts them away but she does need reminding most of the time to do it.
This thread was so helpful to me – mainly the posts that reminded me of what my motive is in teaching them to clean their rooms. I’ll need to think on that. I know I want them to know how to clean. I want our home to reflect God’s goodness and beauty and creativity. I also want them to know that a clean room isn’t everything – sometimes I know I put too much priority on a clean home because I enjoy order so much. And someone posted about not complaining being better than cleanliness – wow – such a great point! Thanks for giving me so much to think about. I’d like to come up with my reasons and then share them with my children. Good stuff ladies!
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