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[quote=Anonymous]Something that has helped us enormously with under-5s is putting on “clean up songs” every night just before dinner and everyone cleaning together. The kids love the songs and this is also how they motivate them to clean at preschool/daycare (you can ask the teachers what songs they use because using the same ones can help).

We still have to help them clean, but making it a daily ritual and incorporating music makes it less painful. They almost never complain about doing it — usually they just argue over who gets to pick the first song.

Other than that, we are selective in the stuff we ask but then very consistent about it. Shoes and jackets must be put away when they come home (designated places and accessible hooks). If they drop or spill food, they have to clean it up (we help with big spills). Clothes go in the hamper. But that’s pretty much it at this age. We don’t even make them make their beds because it just doesn’t contribute noticeably to messiness. Whereas food on the floor, and toys and clothes strewn everywhere does.

I don’t know anything about older kids! But we don’t fight with our little ones about cleaning and the house gets tidied daily without too much stress. [/quote]

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