Getting your kids to clean up after themselves is no easy feat.
And while it’s understandable, it’s something they need to learn to do as they get older.
One mum has been applauded for her genius technique for getting her nine-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son to tidy their messes up.
Mum-of-two, Laura Henderson, took to the Family Lockdown Tips & Ideas Facebook group to share her tried-and-tested method for getting her kids into a routine of keeping on top of household chores.
It involves a method that the kids of today are sure to resonate with — texting.
Laura sends a text message to her kids with a warning that a ‘fine’ will be issued if they fail to tidy up or for other household offences.
She admitted that she learned the trick from another parent in the group and decided to put it into practice.
“They both have different things that really grind my gears such as leaving clothes on the floor in random places, leaving rubbish out, eating in their rooms when they’re not supposed to, bathroom mess etc..
“so when I see an ‘offence’, I send them this message and verbally go and tell them (my daughter doesn’t really use her phone). If they do not action the mistake, they get a fine.”
An example of a text message reads as:
“WARNING – You have until 10pm Monday 20th November to dispose of rubbish left in the kitchen. If this is not actioned, a fine will be issued.”
However, Laura adds that this ‘fine’ is not monetary, but rather ‘time paid back’ to her in the form of ‘other chores such as 5 minutes polishing or mopping the bathroom floor etc’.
“I’m proud of my mom skills here and wanted to share.”
The most fascinating part is that since implementing this new system, neither of Laura’s children has had a fine issued to them for failure to complete a task.
“They receive the verbal warning or text warning and sort it literally straight away,” she adds.
Absolutely genius!
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