How can I get my child to clean their room without nagging?

1. 87

   GinnyLeeposted 12 years ago

   How can I get my child to clean their room without nagging?

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2. 71

   BlissfulWriterposted 12 years ago

   Offer an dis-incentive.   For example, if you room is not cleaned by the 5pm, you will have 30 minutes less "computer time" or "TV time" than your normal allocation. 
   
   You don't want to offer an "reward".  Because then they will only do it if they get something in return.  That is not how life works.  Some things in life you have to do even if you get nothing in return.

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3. 60

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   'Child', singular, 'their', plural, how many children are you talking about?

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4. 87

   GinnyLeeposted 12 years ago

   Yikes,  I did make a grammatical error.  I have one son, but there is enough mess for more.

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5. 65

   xethonxqposted 12 years ago

   Tell him the expectation with the time frame you expect it to be done and what he will be able do when he complies (i.e. they can do what they normally are allowed to do) and what will happen when he doesn't (usually I tell my child I'm getting a garbage bag and putting everything that is not in it's place in the bag to be give back at my discretion)....be matter of fact and leave it up to him. Follow through depending on what he chooses to do...even if he pitches a fit.

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6. 0

   shazwellynposted 12 years ago

   If he has 'normal' (whatever that may be! lol) development, positive reinforcement has great results.  Perhaps using a sticker board for good behaviour might be a good idea - a certain amount of stickers provides a prize (like buying a favourite toy or an activity he would like to participate in - whatever rocks his boat, really!). You could reward him for lots of stickers for cleaning his room.  You would praise him lots for completing this task, but make suggestions for improvements (deduct some stickers for this and add stickers for completed tasks - bed making, for example).
   
   Of course define firm boundaries before he does this task by telling him your expectations and where he can get maximum stickers for.
   
   Hope this makes sense,
   
   Shaz

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7. 89

   mistyhorizon2003posted 12 years ago

   Make it a condition of pocket money/allowance. In other words whatever day you normally pay out the allowance, you do a room inspection beforehand. Assuming all is tidy the child gets their allowance, (a kind of wages really).

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8. 95

   MsDoraposted 12 years ago

   Promise something the child likes,  State the promise in the first part of your sentence, then add "after you clean your room."  For example, this is what worked for me almost three decades ago. 
   
   One of my children was a non-stop talker.  I would say, "We'll listen to you after your clean your room."  I'd repeat that if the child forgot and started to talk again. Usually, after the first repeat the child went to work with great speed.

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9. 58

   jpiferposted 12 years ago

   Withhold any privileges until they do....like watching television, using the computer, going to a friend's, etc. I sometimes try to make it a game or contest and tell them to see how quickly they can get it done (while still doing an adequate job).

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