Motivate Your Child to Clean Their Room

If you are tired of the grueling task of getting your child to keep their room tidy read these seven tips. These simple fun ideas can make your job easier and motivate your child to clean their room.

1. Make a deal.

Teach your child about communication, responsibility and keeping promises by agreeing on a payment for room cleaning. Seal the deal with a handshake. This idea is perfect for the child that likes to save money, wants expensive things or perhaps wants to repaint and redecorate their room.

2. Offer a reward.

Positive reinforcement is an effective tool for getting the stubborn child to keep their room clean. Gear rewards toward activities your child enjoys, such as going to the movies, skating, or bowling. Food or soda should never be used as a reward.

3. Open a bank account in your child's name.

This is a fun way to teach your child about finances and will motivate any young entrepreneur to clean their room.

4. Start giving your child an allowance.

Make your expectations known, I suggest making a list. If your child completes the list, they receive their allowance. Deduct money from their allowance for jobs left undone.

5. Teach your child organization skills.

Perhaps the reason your child resists tidying up is because they lack organizing skills. Teach your child "everything has a place and everything in its place." It is time to clear the clutter and invest in some organizer bins.

6. Make or buy chore charts.

Chore charts are a very helpful tool and you can find free online printable chore charts at Handipoints. If this method works, you should consider buying or making your own chore charts. If you watch the funny sitcom, The Middle, you know the chore chart did not work for their family (as they scramble to get the garbage out before the garbage truck leaves).

7. Write an agreement or contract.

A contract or written agreement is a simple idea that will motivate your child to clean their room. List your expectations, rewards, punishment and a place for you and your child to sign. An example of an effective consequence would be: All items that are not put away will be donated to goodwill.