Parenting Pointers: How to Get Kids to Want to Clean Their Rooms

For many parents, it is a constant battle to get their children to keep their rooms clean. It is no secret that kids are messy and do not fully understand the importance of putting everything in its place when they’re done with it. But, there are ways to get children more interested in cleaning their rooms, and maybe even get them to want to clean up for themselves before they’re told.

Children can learn more from cleaning their rooms than just how to tidy up. By putting their own things away, they become more responsible for each item. This will help them create their own system and know where to find things that may have gotten lost before. Hopefully that means hearing less questions like: “Mom, where’s my blue shirt?”

Respect for items can also be gained when children clean up after themselves. Sometimes it can be hurtful if parents see toys and clothes that they bought their child thrown on the floor like they mean nothing. If children put these items away, they will learn the value of hard work and appreciate more what they have.

However, parents should try to set good examples if they want their kids to keep a tidy room. If the parents’ room or other areas of the house are messy—or maybe their cars are, the kids will notice this and create an excuse to not clean their rooms based on how their parents do things. If the parents keep their spaces neat, the kids will want to mimic that because they look up to their parents.

Kids like to know that their work is noticed, so when kids clean their rooms or other areas of the house or yard, make sure to let them know how much you appreciate it and how nice it looks.

Here are a few ideas to help get the ball rolling:

• clean an area with them, talking about each item as it is put away

• ask for their ideas on a way to remember where different things go (if it makes sense, get the baskets or shelves necessary to make that idea a reality)

• talk about memories of where the item has gone or who got it for them

• create a schedule or routine, such as having the child make his bed each morning Kids like routine more often than not, and this can make them feel like they’ve accomplished something all on their own before they even leave the house in the morning. The younger the child is when these methods are put into practice, the more likely it is that it will become an automatic habit as they get older.

Incentives like money or TV time or time on the computer may work for simply getting the chore done. But, if children want to clean their rooms, the incentive of having a clean room and the satisfaction of having done it all on their own hopefully will be enough.

Ylleya Fields is a mother and author of Princess Cupcake Jones and theMissing Tutu. Princess Cupcake loses her favorite tutu in her messy bedroom. Only after searching the palace, finding forgotten but beloved items, then cleaning her entire room and putting things in their rightful places does she find the tutu (hanging from the ceiling fan!) Watch for more Princess Cupcake Jones adventures coming in 20