I Don't Expect Kids to Be Perfect

[Josiegirl]

but how do you keep them in picking up mode? I was so proud of my playroom this a.m. when the doors opened, it was set up pretty and different. Within 10 minutes stuff was everywhere and kids would walk from one end of the room, just drop something as they're going to something else. I kept on top of them for 1 1/2 hours and was totally exhausted, not to mention I was a great big fun-****er.
I have 5 dcgs, 2 of them are just 19 months old but the rest should be starting to 'get it' shouldn't they? They're 2 1/2- almost 4. We took the stepping stones into the living room, figured they'd be set up for playing maybe a few minutes so I could start lunch. Then I notice the 2 who got them out are walking the baby strollers everywhere and the living room is still covered in stepping stones. After I cleaned up lunch I went to get the youngest changed for nap and someone had taken down a whole shelf of books, and apparently walked away.
I know lots of ways to get them to clean up but why isn't it working??

[Miss A]

Maybe they are experiencing too much stimulation after being gone for the Holiday. Try to cut back on the items you have available, and then slowly reintroduce them over the next few weeks. Also, on days I struggle with cleaning up, I ask nicely the first time, then explain that if they can't put it away it will be stored until they show responsibility and earn it back.

[Ariana]

I understand wanting them to pick up toys but for me I see this as a big part of my job description and their job is to play. If I had 6-7 yr olds it might be different but at that age I let it go for the most part unless there is deliberate dumping of toys over and over.

[laundrymom]

My crew doesn't eat u til they clean up their messes. Yes. I make them do it all. Every block. Every book. Every toy is put away each time we transition from play to meal. And the only thing I do is put the bins away that are too heavy for them. My crew are all under 5. All but two under 4.

[Blackcat31]

My crew doesn't eat u til they clean up their messes. Yes. I make them do it all. Every block. Every book. Every toy is put away each time we transition from play to meal. And the only thing I do is put the bins away that are too heavy for them. My crew are all under 5. All but two under 4.

same here.

I have things organized into easy categories so the separating and putting things back in a certain way is easy for them. Sometimes I will assign kids things ("Johnny, you pick up the cars, Kelly you pick up the action figures")

I use large open bins and containers.
I also put pictures of the bin/container contents on the bin/container and shelves so the kids can visually see where things go.

Once they understand "where" each thing goes, pick up is quick, easy and pretty painless for everyone.

[Baby Beluga]

My crew doesn't eat u til they clean up their messes. Yes. I make them do it all. Every block. Every book. Every toy is put away each time we transition from play to meal. And the only thing I do is put the bins away that are too heavy for them. My crew are all under 5. All but two under 4.

I have children ages 2.5 - 4.5 years and they also have to clean up everything before we move on to another activity. Recently though - they have been dragging their feet when it is time to clean up. I did two things 1) scaled back the amount of toys allowed out at once and 2) if they are dragging their feet while cleaning up I set a timer for a reasonable amount of time. If they have not cleaned up the toys before the timer beeps then I clean them up and they lose whatever I had to clean up for the remainder of the week.

[Play Care]

I have children ages 2.5 - 4.5 years and they also have to clean up everything before we move on to another activity. Recently though - they have been dragging their feet when it is time to clean up. I did two things 1) scaled back the amount of toys allowed out at once and 2) if they are dragging their feet while cleaning up I set a timer for a reasonable amount of time. If they have not cleaned up the toys before the timer beeps then I clean them up and they lose whatever I had to clean up for the remainder of the week.

It is not my job to clean up after kids. And frankly I can see why some kids develop entitlement issues if they view their parent/provider as their maid.

[Josiegirl]

It is not my job to clean up after kids. And frankly I can see why some kids develop entitlement issues if they view their parent/provider as their maid.

Of course I agree with this. But dang, some battles just **** all your energy away. I've been better at it since I reopened yesterday and have definitely tried to keep them picking up their messes. I think the hardest part to deal with is when they're easily distracted and go through 2-3 activities before I even catch the first mess. This can all happen while I change the twins' diapers.

Oh and your comment reminded me of a dcm's story about her 8 yo yelling to her mom from an upstairs bedroom, asking her mom to bring her something. Dcm said no. I was so proud of her because she's a very 'yes mom'.

[daycarediva]

My crew doesn't eat u til they clean up their messes. Yes. I make them do it all. Every block. Every book. Every toy is put away each time we transition from play to meal. And the only thing I do is put the bins away that are too heavy for them. My crew are all under 5. All but two under 4.

same here.

I have things organized into easy categories so the separating and putting things back in a certain way is easy for them. Sometimes I will assign kids things ("Johnny, you pick up the cars, Kelly you pick up the action figures")

I use large open bins and containers.
I also put pictures of the bin/container contents on the bin/container and shelves so the kids can visually see where things go.

Once they understand "where" each thing goes, pick up is quick, easy and pretty painless for everyone.

Same here.

I also teach them from day 1 here that we take out one area, and put it back before we move on. I will catch them "Oh susie you forgot to clean up the kitchen center. Lets do it speedy quick and then you can go play in the art center."

[Play Care]

Of course I agree with this. But dang, some battles just **** all your energy away. I've been better at it since I reopened yesterday and have definitely tried to keep them picking up their messes. I think the hardest part to deal with is when they're easily distracted and go through 2-3 activities before I even catch the first mess. This can all happen while I change the twins' diapers.

Oh and your comment reminded me of a dcm's story about her 8 yo yelling to her mom from an upstairs bedroom, asking her mom to bring her something. Dcm said no. I was so proud of her because she's a very 'yes mom'.

Oh, I hear ya! sometimes I think "if I have to nag them to clean up one more time...
Tonight clear out the playroom. Take everything out. Tomorrow when the kids come in, assign them ONE toy. When they ask where everything went just say sadly "when toys don't get picked up, they go away."
:: Let them earn them back.

[sharlan]

This is my BIGGEST failure as a provider.

(Evidently I didn't do such a good job of teaching my daughters, either.)

This is probably the only complaint I ever had from parents. "You don't make the kids clean up so they don't think they should at home."

I need someone to come teach me how to teach the kids to clean up.