1. Make clearing up a game Inventa learning game that needs your kid to put toys in the right boxes atthe right place, maybe according to colours or alphabetically. Startoff playing this 'game' right from an early age. Buy an interestingstorage box; say something that looks like a dog kennel. The kids willbe fascinated with the storage box and find it easier to put theirstuff away. Also, what you can do is buy them a mini-shopping trolleyand ask them to help tidy up by going 'shopping' for the toys lyingaround on the floor.
2. Put storage areas at their eye-level Havea look at how a nursery is set up. Try and make sure the clothes hookis at your kids' height. That will help to stop them throwing theirclothes on the floor. 3. Don't buy toys that are too advanced Forexample, kids under five rarely put the tops back on felt-tips. Andthat leaves you to do it. Worse still, you may find yourself wipingfelt-tip scribble off the wall. Check out with the shop-keeper or yourdoctor as to what games are appropriate for your kid according to hisage. 4. Teach older kids the consequences of leaving mess Givethem a warning. If they don't listen, take away whatever you find lyingon the floor. It only takes confiscating a few toys here and therebefore a kid gets the point. 5. Buy flip-top toothpaste, shampoo bottles Thiswill only make your life simpler. You won't be required to go huntingfor and replacing the lids that your kids have left off. 6. Have the right 'tools' Kidsare messy eaters, leaving mums constantly cleaning the kitchen floor. Agood tip would be to invest in a wide-headed dry mop. Food debris canusually be pushed into one place with just a couple of sweeps. 7. The right place to sit Withyounger kids, another way to cut down on time spent cleaning the flooris to choose a high chair with the widest tray, preventing your totfrom lobbing food over the edge. 8. Increase your space Make the most of all available storage space. Try under-bed drawers and the space over your shelves. 9. Maintaining the dcor look Foryour sitting room, invest in a toy box that fits with your dcor. So itfeels like an adult space again once the kids are in bed. Wickerbaskets are unobtrusive, light and easy to open and there's less riskof a heavy lid banging down on little fingers or heads. For safety, geta box with a support to hold the lid open. Another option is large openboxes on wheels that can be rolled out for tidying reasons and thenpushed back. 10. Make it kiddy friendly Buildlow, open shelves in your child's room. They store more items thanready-made units and if kids find it easier to reach the things theywant they are more likely to put them back, too! 11. Rules help Fromthe age of about two, introduce a rule for your children that they canonly get a maximum of three games or books out before they putsomething back. 12. Find a mid way Thewords "Can I do some painting?" bring many mums out in a cold sweat. Ifit's a fine day, let them do it on a plastic mat on the balcony whereit won't matter. If you can’t allow painting sessions at home, findout if there are any kid workshops in your area where they can have funwith crafts. 13. Get the right paint If you are constantly wiping off dirty handprints and scrape marks, paint your walls in wipe-clean gloss. 14. Too many, no good Theaverage child gets around 70 new toys a year. Try 'one in, one outrule'. Ask your child to be honest about what toys they don't like.Suggest they take them to a charity shop and it will also teach apositive lesson. 15. Have it planned Scheduleclean-up time every day so kids get into the habit. Choose the 10minutes before their favourite TV programme or during an ad break toget them focused on the job. 16. Get your home equipped Improvethe chances of getting everything in the right place by equipping eachbedroom with a generous rubbish and laundry bin. Kids should know thatonly the clothes that make it to a laundry basket will get washed. 17. Get the kids working Ifthey don't listen and still create a mess all round the room, make themwork to get it back in the right place. Store one-off puzzle pieces andbits of Lego in a shoe box until they find their way back to theirproper homes. 18. The kids benefit eventually Don'tbe a slave to your kids. Experts say that when they do things forthemselves, it builds self-esteem. Remember that by the time childrenare five, they are able to pick up clothes, put dirty ones in thelaundry, straighten duvets, help set and clear the table and put awaytoys. 19. They must love their room Whenkids decorate their own rooms, they feel more responsible for them.Give your kids a manageable budget depending on wheth888er they needfurniture, maybe for a mini-makeover. Once children love their room,it's easier to get them to keep them clean. 20. Set achievable standards Don'texpect perfection. At the end of the day, don't set too high standardswhen it comes to tidiness. Children need a family home, not a showhouse you see on TV. Group Moderator for [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Connect your World with Us join Now - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dimpill_gang/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Adult Mails - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fantazies/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Health and Food Mails - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Health_and_Gourmet/join Share files, take polls, and make new friends - all under one roof. Go to http://in.promos.yahoo.com/groups/
