Question for the parents

[BigCiX]

Is it just my house or does your children always have toys scattered throughout the house and no matter how much you clean it still finds itself messy in about two hours?

 

[lunatic59]

It's just your house.


Count yourself among the lucky to have a two hour window between the messes.

 

[olbriar]

You say children... that's plural... and you still have a house???

 

[Liamo_210]

Not a parent but I know what I'm talking about when I tell you this. " Do not waste your precious time and energy cleaning up as it will and I mean will always come back as you said" This is a fatigue tactic by children, they just want to wear you out but you cannot give up

 

[olbriar]

Is it just my house or does your children always have toys scattered throughout the house and no matter how much you clean it still finds itself messy in about two hours?

If you want a clean house you have two options.
Option one: One by one pick up the toys and toss them
Option two: One by one pick up the children and toss them

Seriously, I raised four children in a small home. I made the rule that if I should leave a toy in their room it was theirs to do with as they wished.
If they left a toy in my room.. which was the rest of the dwelling.. it was my toy and I could do with it as I wished. A ceremonious trip or two to the dumpster demonstrating what I did with toys in my room was sobering.

 

[h4x0rj3ff]

You get a clean house for that long!?!!? How do you do it??? I need some incite

 

[BigCiX]

If you want a clean house you have two options.
Option one: One by one pick up the toys and toss them
Option two: One by one pick up the children and toss them

Seriously, I raised four children in a small home. I made the rule that if I should leave a toy in their room it was theirs to do with as they wished.
If they left a toy in my room.. which was the rest of the dwelling.. it was my toy and I could do with it as I wished. A ceremonious trip or two to the dumpster demonstrating what I did with toys in my room was sobering.

I've tried the tossing toys away but the wife gets mad cause she said it's wasting money.

 

[olbriar]

I've tried the tossing toys away but the wife gets mad cause she said it's wasting money.

I well understand. You have to do what's right for your family situation. For me it was a matter of co-existing with four children and a wife. There had to be some rules so that we might all hang out comfortably in my little house. I didn't feel I was being cruel or even wasteful. Honestly, I didn't have to toss much to make a point. I think the most important thing is to make some sort of stand.. and never waiver on your rules. The earlier a child understands that life has rules... most are just... but all have to be adhered to, the better they will fit into society. That, to me, was my main responsibility to them and the world. Make them compatible.

 

[zuben el genub]

I'd just lock the toys up. One of my cats destroyed one of her toys, and I just told her she left it where the cat could get it as she knew the cat liked the toy, so it was her fault. I didn't replace it.

I wish I could train the cats to put their stuff back in the toy box.

 

[olbriar]

Pet toys are another matter entirely. My dogs just look at me as to be saying "rules, we don't need no stinkin rules" lol At least for the most part they understand what toys are theirs and what toys are mine.

 

[Petrah]

Is it just my house or does your children always have toys scattered throughout the house and no matter how much you clean it still finds itself messy in about two hours?

In my house it always depended on the age of the child. Small babies; toys in the living room (where the kitchen was adjoined and I could keep watch all day) and where we kept the toybox.

Older kids kept toys in their rooms. I was always very strict about that.

I'm a neat-freak. Almost OCD with it. Ever step on a lego while barefoot? It's amazing at how colorful the swear words can get.

 

[chrlswltrs]

The question is, how old are your children?

My daughter is 11 and she has learned to not leave toys around the house. When Dad has to pick up her toys they disappear for a while. Eventually she learned not to leave them laying around.

I don't go in her bedroom unless she wants something. A sleepover, a new game, anything. If her room is messy, she doesn't get anything until it is clean.

 

[Petrah]

I've tried the tossing toys away but the wife gets mad cause she said it's wasting money.

Take the toy and put it in the truck of the car, or lock it away somewhere. Make them buy the toy back with money you've paid them for chores.

Two lessons learned: The value of a dollar and to not leave yer stuff laying around where it's inconvenient for others.

 

[BigCiX]

The question is, how old are your children?

My daughter is 11 and she has learned to not leave toys around the house. When Dad has to pick up her toys they disappear for a while. Eventually she learned not to leave them laying around.

I don't go in her bedroom unless she wants something. A sleepover, a new game, anything. If her room is messy, she doesn't get anything until it is clean.

11 year old - not so bad but I have to tell him to pick up his shoes or sweater from the living room or family room

7 year old - She's the main one. Toys everywhere!

Went to a buddy's house today and his house was full of toys to. I asked him the same question and his response was, "I don't even know why I clean".

 

[zuben el genub]

It was Lite Brite when mine was small. I wouldn't buy it. The fact that my cats might accidentally eat one of the pieces was a big concern. We had My Little Pony. If you stepped on one of them, it didn't hurt.

 

[pastafarian]

When my kids now 10 and 8 were into Beyblades and Bakugan, it was downright dangerous and painful. My kids aren't terrible about leaving toys around, but it happens from time to time. The cats also get involved. My biggest complaint is shoes, they seem to be everywhere! I've all but given up on having a neat house again...at least until they go off to college.

 

[BigCiX]

Seems like everyone has cats.

 

[BigCiX]

I'll post a picture of the play area tomorrow. My 6 month old and 7 year old daughter parts in that area

 

[dan330]

depending on the age of the kid...

infants.. you can make sure the toys are in the right room. even in a corner of that room.

older kids... 4ish yrs and older.. nothing can happen till all your toys are put away. play with a toy, then put it way before you play with another.

if you have guests... with kids... rules go out the door for that day.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Our little one is a tyrant in the living room, but we really don't mind. When we say it's clean up time, she already knows the deal. I think it's just a matter of being firm with certain things.

Seems like everyone has cats.

Ughh, can't stand them. Dogs all the way.

 

[Petrah]

Perfect.

 

[Joelgp83]

Take the toy and put it in the truck of the car, or lock it away somewhere. Make them buy the toy back with money you've paid them for chores.

Two lessons learned: The value of a dollar and to not leave yer stuff laying around where it's inconvenient for others.

Or, it teaches them that holding other people's stuff for ransom is a positive, legitimate tactic in everyday interactions with people.:vroam: