Since selling our home in October and moving into a house better suited for our growing family we have been able to buy more "wants" for our entire family. Some of the things we have given the kids are well appreciated and others are, well...not. Mostly it's a struggle with one particular child. This child just does NOT appreciate or take care of belongings. Things get destroyed, ripped, broken, stuffed animals get lotioned (yes, and I still am not sure how to fix it without the washing machine). It has been really hard lately to try and stop buying this child things I want for them. Also, how do I buy stuff for the other 2 kids and not this one?
I think I'm going to start with a major room clean out to get rid of outgrown toys, books, games, stuffed animals, and clothes. I already had to go in a few weeks ago and throw everything on the floor into 2 trash bags since they refused to pick it up and put it away. Also, this child's clothes stay folded in a basket in my room and I hand out the day's clothes every morning. Annoying...sure. Easier and less stressful...you betcha! Light actually really likes to sleep in that room since it is the only bed (or furniture in general) he is allowed on. We are using this to help keep the room clean. You see, Light will eat anything he can, so if the room is covered in toys, books, and clothes we will not allow him to sleep in there. It has worked for a few nights now!
They are several things I can do to try to keep this child's room cleaned up. What I really want to know though is how I convince the CHILD to keep the room clean in the long run. Thoughts? Ideas? What works, or doesn't, for you?
This post was inspired by the novel Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement. Ladydi grew up in rural Mexico, where being a girl is a dangerous thing. She and other girls were “made ugly” to protect them from drug traffickers and criminal groups. Join From Left to Write on February 18 we discuss Prayers for the Stolen. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
I struggle with figuring out how to make my kids take care of their toys, but it's a never-ending battle. No matter how many times I explain how everything costs money and what we have to do to make that money, I still find ripped books and their play room is a disaster at the end of the day. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to figure out how to keep the kids rooms clean all the time! The person who figures that out? Instant celebrity for moms and dads everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you here! My four year old has enjoyed more games, toys and electronics than his older sister did at his age. I worry that he's gotten spoiled by all the stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tough one! Maybe have a sticker chart and if the others are behaving, it is justified to the other child and will promote better behavior?
ReplyDeleteAs I read t his, I am ashamed because I recognize myself as a child. I think my parents did what you did - taught me how to live with less, and gave away what I didn't need to those who truly had nothing!
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