How to Get Your Children to Clean Up Their Room

During my childhood I shared a room with my brother and let me tell you, it was a mess most of the time. I know how hard it can be getting your children to clean up their room because I was one of those children who hating cleaning up after myself. I would drive my parents crazy. However, using some great tricks and techniques my parents were able to get my brother and me to clean up when we needed to the most. I share those secret tips with you.

Allowance money: No matter what age your child is, you can bribe them with giving or taking away their allowance. Even for young children who have no concept of money, you can still use the concept of an allowance. Tell your child you'll give them a nice shiny quarter if they clean up their toys. For older children who understand the concept of money, offer them a weekly allowance if they clean up their room every week. If they don't clean up their room then they don't get allowance money. Even though you are their parent and have to provide them with clothing, food, shelter, etc. you don't have to buy them the things they want. That's where the concept of an allowance comes in where a kid can buy anything they want with their allowance money.

Gifts: similar to allowance money, you can reward your child for cleaning their room by buying them something that they want like toys, ice cream, new clothing, etc. Buy them something to get them excited and it doesn't necessarily have to be something expensive.

Punishment: By taking away something that your child likes to do, you punish them for failing to clean their room. If your child likes doing something badly enough, they will clean up their room. Such takeaways can be video games, television, playing sports, etc.

Competition: if you have more than one child, a little competition can work wonders. Make it a competition between your children of who can have the cleanest room for the longest duration of time. Keep a chart of booklet posted somewhere in the house of each child's area of the house to clean and have them compete against each other. Buy the winner something or reward them in some way.

Public praise: when you are with your child with his friends and his parents' friends, you can praise your child for cleaning his or her room when they can overhear you talk. Praise will give them pride and make them happy.