I'm too Tired to Clean Up

[BumbleBee]

Does anybody else get this excuse? I have a 4.5 yo who is proficient with this excuse. I do one of two things when dck breaks this excuse out.

1. If we're cleaning up before a meal or project I say "Ok, you sit right here until you're not too tired and then you can clean up." And all of the other children go on to the next activity (after they've cleaned up their stuff.)

2. If we're cleaning up the yard in order to come inside and do something fun. "If you're too tired to clean up the yard, you're too tired to do *activity* with us" and send dck to their cot.

The problem I'm having is when dck is "to tired" to clean up before we head outside. I've done hand over hand, I've left the mess there for dck to clean up, not letting dck play with the toys dck doesn't clean up. I would *love* to have the other kids be outside while this dck finishes cleaning up but I can't bc it's just me.

What is a good natural consequence for a 4 yo in this situation?

[Angelsj]

Then he is "too tired" to play outside and needs to sit while the other children play. He can bring a book to look at (if that is ok with you) or other small toy (I have outside cars, so he could have ONE car) and just sit in one spot.
No running or jumping around, just sit, since he is Soooo tired. I would think that would get old for him fast.

[daycarediva]

I have one that says "It takes toooo looonnnggg" as he goes at a snail pace. His friends cheer him on, which is the ONLY thing that helps him clean/go faster. So maybe try getting your good cleaners to help him?

[JoseyJo]

Then he is "too tired" to play outside and needs to sit while the other children play. He can bring a book to look at (if that is ok with you) or other small toy (I have outside cars, so he could have ONE car) and just sit in one spot.
No running or jumping around, just sit, since he is Soooo tired. I would think that would get old for him fast.

This- and leave the mess for him to clean up when you go back inside too

[e.j.]

I hear "I'm too tired" all the time. If they're too tired to pick up toys, surely they're too tired to play outside! The consequence is that they "rest" on the steps of my deck while the other kids play. No books, no toys. I want them well "rested" by the time we go back inside. Usually, it only takes once or twice before they "get" it.

[Margarete]

I know exactly how she feels! If we all work together it goes fast, and will be done quick.
Depending on how often this occurs I might also talk to her about it before play time... If you think your going to be to tired at clean up, you need to just select one toy/ book, and not play with anything else, so you can quickly put it away. Try to get her thinking about it before playtime.

[SilverSabre25]

I get that too. Also, "I'm too sweaty".

It's something about 4 year olds. Honestly! I even asked on a parenting forum I'm on and several people agreed--there's something about 4 that makes it very difficult for them to clean up. SO ANNOYING. but, developmentally normal.

But still annoying.

When my 4.5 yo uses the too tired excuse I do the same as others here--suggest that they are then too tired for whatever fun thing we're doing next, invite them to go lay down, not let them play outside since they are soooo tiiiiiirrrrrrred, etc.

[daycare]

I have yet to hear that excuse but if I did then I would say...

It sounds like you are too tired to play then my friend. Lets go lay down for a nap and you can clean that mess up when you wake up.................


I think at age 4 hand over hand is way too old......

[Josiegirl]

Ugh, I hate that! And just seconds before, they weren't too tired to create the mess! Yesterday, a 6 yo(!) took all the books off the bookstand to create shelves on which to place flower pots. When clean-up time came, she laid right down and ignored me. So I said, ok, I'll start picking up with you, thinking she'd move. Nope. So I picked up about 10 books, said it was her turn and walked away. She rolled over and complained because *I* didn't pick up very many. OMG I almost lit into her! But instead calmly told her, SHE made the mess and SHE needs to pick it up.
Sometimes the difference in children amazes me. I have a couple kids who will take it upon themselves to pick up the whole darn playroom without being asked. Then one like her who will happily let them. Ya know what? I've noticed the way the moms act at drop off seem to indicate who is a stronger parent. The one who picks up everything...her mom is no nonsense(she's terrific!!). The 6 yo's mom carries everything in, everything out, plus will carry the almost 5 yo also. They're not made to do anything to help. They run away from the table after meal-time and have to be reminded to take care of their stuff.

I remember reading somewhere if you have problems with kids not picking up, stop their world. Make them sit right there, beside their things, and don't let them move out of their spot until they're done.
I will resort to that IF we've played beat the timer game or we've all picked up a certain number of things. If neither of those tactics work, then I'll make them sit right there till they're ready.

[butterfly]

We do races when I get excuses like this. I ignore their comment and excitedly say "Who can clean the fastest today?" The winner gets to... pick the next activity, be first in line, play with x ... It seems to get everyone excited about cleaning. It may not work on that kid who's too tired for a day or two but when they see that the "winner" really does get to do what I say, then they work their tails off trying to be the fastest.

I make sure to praise everyone that worked hard and make a big deal out of it with high fives and cheers!

[Josiegirl]

This afternoon the playroom was a mess, so I said 'Ok everybody, let's play clean-up!' Only one little girl responded, she and I cleaned the whole room together. I gave her a tic-tac and everyone was like 'hey I didn't get one!' Nope, you didn't. I don't usually use rewards like that but she just got right up, never complained, worked as hard as me, and I thought to myself, everybody else needs to see that helping out and pitching in can have it's rewards.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I hear "I'm too tired" all the time. If they're too tired to pick up toys, surely they're too tired to play outside! The consequence is that they "rest" on the steps of my deck while the other kids play. No books, no toys. I want them well "rested" by the time we go back inside. Usually, it only takes once or twice before they "get" it.

I would do this as well.

Would, "I'm too tired to clean up!" work well for us? Can we get away with it? :: I really am too tired. :: I'll happily accept the consequence of sitting somewhere.

[Josiegirl]

Would, "I'm too tired to clean up!" work well for us? Can we get away with it? :: I really am too tired. :: I'll happily accept the consequence of sitting somewhere.

I will once in awhile slip and say a word or do something wrong and they'll say "You need to go to time-out!" Please, send me to time-out. I beg of you.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I will once in awhile slip and say a word or do something wrong and they'll say "You need to go to time-out!" Please, send me to time-out. I beg of you.

:: I will happily put myself in time out.

[SilverSabre25]

:: I will happily put myself in time out.

Exactly, me too. One minute per year of age, right? SCORE. SOLD.