You know the drill, it’s the weekend and the kid’s rooms are a mess. There will be arguments waged over trying to get the kids to clean up their rooms. It’s an exhausting practice that is all too familiar in too many homes. What can you do to get kids to clean their rooms?

Why is it so important for kids to clean their own rooms?

Kids need to learn how to be responsible for their own things. Taking care of their room and respecting the things they have in it is a lesson they need to learn as they are growing up. Being able to take responsibility, learning how to cut down a big task into small pieces and staying on top of the chore are important skills they will need to help them navigate life as they become adults.

Those who are successful as adults are the people who have learned time-management, how to make goals and keep them, how to take a big project and cut it down into manageable portions and how to calmly deal with a situation that can seem overwhelming.

What are some tips that can help a child to take care of their room?

Designate areas in the room for books, clothes, toys etc…
Use organizers to help your child stay on top of the mess. Clothes hampers, bookcases, containers for toys are all helpful when trying to maintain a neat room.
Set a good example by keeping the rest of the house neat. Show your kids that everything has its place, that you respect your own things and that you can stay organized.
Allow your children to feel good about their room. Let them help choose how to decorate the room or let them decide on their own where they would like things to be placed. Giving children a feeling of pride in their room goes a long way in their interest in keeping their room looking nice.
Once in awhile, help your child sort through their things and decide what they no longer need. A room that is full of clothes that are too small or toys no longer used just add to the clutter. This will in turn overwhelm the child and make it more difficult for them to want to tackle the job of cleaning up.