Help Kids Clean Up Their Act!
“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.”
- Jerry Rice, NFL Football Player
Family living… it’s a team sport!!! Tidy Kidz™ was created with the whole family in mind. We take a creative approach to helping children understand that living in a family environment takes some effort from every member of the team… kids included. We know grown-ups are around for the really complex things but there’s a lot kids can tackle on their own. Children are small but mighty and they really get a kick out of their own accomplishments!! From the day we become parents until pretty much forever we have the tendency to be ruled by this thing called “guilt.” Mommy guilt, Daddy guilt, anything guilt seems to rule even the most subtle actions we take with our kids. We all want to do the best job we can and guilt really plays no part in that. The truth is, there is an endless sea of reasons to feel guilty, but only if you allow it. Here is a word of encouragement, STOP!!!! Stop because guilt inhibits positive growth and it’s not doing you or your kids any good. You cannot do it all and they really can do so much more than is typically required of them. Not only can they do it, but they become empowered and you begin to feel less guilty!! It’s a crazy dynamic but just take a leap of faith and give it a try… inspire, encourage and reward. You’ll soon see the rewards work both ways.
WARNING!!!
You are doing your children a huge disservice by not expecting them to clean up after themselves or participate in keeping the family home in ship shape. These are the very habits and traits they will carry with them into their educations, careers, and adults lives. Bottom line – it is more than ok to expect your precious little people to pitch in!!
Can you guess the answer to this riddle?
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.
Half the tasks you do you might as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed – you must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great men and women and alas of all the failures as well.
Those who are great I have made great.
Those who are failures I have made failures.
Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet.
Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Who am I?
see answer at the bottom of this page
Focus on the following 3 steps:
1) Inspire and Validate – when your child makes the effort to clean a room, brush teeth before bed, feed the pet without being asked… make sure you take notice – outloud! It’s extremely inspiring and validating to a child when a behavior is noticed… and they’ll want to do it again and again!!!
2) Encourage - Let your kids see you smile when you are checking out their good tasks. That encourages them to do more. Say, “Oh Georgie… you did such a fantastic thing, I am sooo proud of you.” Tell your friends and family members stories about your child’s accomplishment and brag on them a little… make sure your children are within earshot 
Their faces will light up like a Christmas tree and they will feel 10 feet tall.
3) Reward - Learn what motivates your child… it could be different things at different times, but if you will take the time to find out what it is… you can motivate them masterfully!!! This is an important step in the process but also one that takes some perfecting. Not all rewards are created equal and they don’t all mean the same thing to every child. Some children are thrilled with a hug and a smile and some will prefer a double fudge chunk cookie with a big glass of milk. Money is a good reward too. Children are never too young to learn about money and rewarding them with an allowance gets that process started. There is a point at which kids will see and feel the rewards that good habits bring. They may not be able to verbalize them, but they will have an understanding. It’s about awareness… you and they must be aware of what they do.
WARNING!!!
Do not give out the agreed upon rewards for tasks not completed, no matter how much they beg. You will be teaching them the total and complete opposite of the targeted goal. Don’t give into the whining – unless of course it’s music to your ears and you can’t seem to get enough of it!
A Sampling of Reward Ideaz
Cash is king
Pick a favorite desert
Stay up 30 minutes later than normal
Free day (one day off)
Shiney new toy
Play their favorite game with them
Pick a movie
New shoes or item they like
Pick a chore to trade with other family member
(answer to riddle)
I AM HABIT
Riddle by Wendell Noble
