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I don't know if it is because I have such a small house with small rooms, or what it is, but it can take an entire weekend to clean just one room if I do it the way I really want it done. Because we have such small rooms, we have cabinets that are just filled with stuff. A couple of weeks ago, I decided it was time to purge DD's room. I started by taking everything out of her room. When I say everything, the only thing that was left was her bed. Her dresser was in the living room, everything that belongs in her dresser was on my bed, her desk was in our kitchen. Toys were in the living room and on the back porch. Her closet was completely empty. She didn't even have a rug on the floor. We went through every single item that was in her room. Nothing went back in until I approved it. We scrubbed her floor, dusted window sills, scrubbed crayon and dirty hand marks off of the walls. Every item was dusted, or cleaned before it went back in.
We got rid of so much stuff that we could have given another little girl enough clothes and toys to fill up her room. It took 2 trips with my van to haul stuff away. Her room did look fabulously clean for about 10 minutes though. I was able to see the pretty walls with the murals my mom painted. It is back to messy again. At least now, we can walk through the room without worrying about injuring ourselves.
Now you guys are making me feel bad about the rest of my house. I guess I will have to have another purge session in all of the rest of the rooms now. I am tired just thinking about it.
ugh! I just had to drag the boys out of the park to come home because they were behaving so badly! It was embarrassing. They are now each in their own room. For how long, is the question? Maybe I'll give them another chance, then send them back if they fight again.
Been there, rkb! They're fighting? Make them sit on the couch holding hands for 5 minutes. If they complain or fuss while they're doing it tell them the next step is lips to lips for 5 minutes. Tell them if they can't get along, it's back to the couch and more holding hands.
I cannot get going this morning. Our up over 100 degree temperatures start today. Ugg.
Been there, rkb! They're fighting? Make them sit on the couch holding hands for 5 minutes. If they complain or fuss while they're doing it tell them the next step is lips to lips for 5 minutes. Tell them if they can't get along, it's back to the couch and more holding hands.
I cannot get going this morning. Our up over 100 degree temperatures start today. Ugg.
I remember when I was young if my younger sister and I were fighting, she would make us sit fr 5 minutes with our noses touching. Try ignoring someone you are fighting with when you have to sit touching noses for 5 minutes. It was horrible, but it worked.
so I might be going about this the completely wrong way... So far they've been very quiet up in their rooms. I might let them out for good behavior. If I do I think I'll find chores for them to do.
so I might be going about this the completely wrong way...
There is no right way or wrong way. It's finding out what works for the particular child/children/family. I just thought I'd throw out a suggestion.
My mother made me go into my room and I couldn't come our until I had a smile on my face. Torture! Waterboarding would have been easier. (I wasn't fighting with my siblings. I was fighting with my mother. Again. And little Miss Grumpypants was NOT going to give in by pretending to be cheerful. My poor mother. )
rkb - I wish I could remember what mom did when the 4 of us were fighting but I can't. So no helpful suggestions from me and since I have only one now, I've really got nothing.
So far they've been very quiet up in their rooms. I might let them out for good behavior. If I do I think I'll find chores for them to do.
Sounds like that works! All kids have a bad day now and again. Just makes it worse when you're in public. I'm sure having to come home and go to their rooms got the point across.
I went up to let them out and they were together in one room, so I made them stay another 1/2 hour. We're going to clean the basement now.
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Tell them if they can't get along, it's back to the couch and more holding hands.
It's finding out what works for the particular child/children/family. I just thought I'd throw out a suggestion.
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