My children are lucky enough to have a toy room. They really don't understand how truly lucky they are and how much they really have that others don't. For the past two days I have been asking all of my children to clean up the toy room. This is something that seems to send them right over the edge! Last night I offered Adam a treat if he would pick up the toy room and he said no! Tonight I asked all of the kids to work on it to earn an ice cream cone. I am sorry to report that no one got ice cream. They don't seem to care if it gets thrown away because amazingly enough toys are always coming in by ways of birthdays, holidays etc...Today I had had enough of my little ones not appreciating what they have.
After they went to bed I went to work...
As I was cleaning up everything my first idea was to put it all in the garage, the more I thought about it though...out of sight out of mind came into my mind.
I decided to stack it all on top of the toy room cabinets so that they can see them, but not play with them. This might seem simple to each of you as your reading this, but today is the first day of Spring Break. I just might loose my mind over the next few days!!
I have decided that they can earn their items back one at a time. They will have to either do a chore or a kind gesture that I think is worthy of the return of a toy. If this strategy doesn't work there will be a shelter with children in our area receiving a van full of toys!!
4 comments:
ha ha ha...can I be a fly on your wall this week?? I think Momma made need her OWN spring break soon :)
that's the thing that stinks about punishment...most of the time it stinks just as much for the parent ;}
I love that! I have done variations of that with putting things in time out in plain view on top of the fridge but having all the toys where they can't get them? Genius.
LOVE IT!! My kids will not clean up there toy room, but even worse they won't play in there because it is too messy. I am stealing your idea!
So true.....what I would do for a toy room....right now every toy is in my kids' room. Someday we will have a toy room. I am so proud of you for doing that. I wish more parents taught their kids to be a little less selfish. Good idea....and good job! Now just don't go insane! LOL
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