Feeling like the worst mother in the world...

**Foxy** · 03-09-2006 12:46

Originally Posted by angel_kisses9798

Another trick is to put everything in garbage bags then drop it in the wheelie bin, then when they aren't around, move it into the garden shed or garage. Let them stew over it for a few days then give it all back.....as long as they earn it.

This is a good idea if you remember to move them! My SIL and her brother must have been naughty Xmas day, so their father did this, but forgot to take them out before the garbos came........

**FourAngelKisses** · 03-09-2006 12:50

oops..........

**iamstephyc** · 04-09-2006 13:56

Thanks guys. Ive been sticking with it and it seems to be going okay. Even though they still manage to make a mess it's not half as bad as before, and they are cleaning it up themself. Yay!

**Sarie** · 04-09-2006 14:02

Our 3 year old hasn't got any toys in his bedroom. Only out in the lounge room. If he's being naughty or not sharing than we take either his favourite toy of the moment or the one he won't share and 'throw it away'. Though we actually put it in a box in the back room that he can't see and once he starts behaving again he can have them back.

**Kaycee** · 04-09-2006 14:30

Nope, you are not too harsh. I am about to start the "24 hour basket". Toys left lying around at 6pm are to be put in it. If they are still there the following night they go in the bin.

Kaycee

**Can I?** · 04-09-2006 15:40

To be perfectly honest I think that it is a little unrealistic to expect a 4 and 5 year old to clean up their own room without any help, let alone keep it clean. My 11 year old still needs help when his room is a big mess, he just gets overwhelmed and doesn't know where to start. I get him started, and then off he goes. It might be helpful to be in the room and give plain directions to them when you want them to clean up. I put labels or piactures on the toy crates so they know what to put where. We also have 5 mins per day where we all spend time putting away in the bedrooms so the mess doesn't get so unmanageable. The fact is that they are kids, and they don't see it as mess, they just see it as fun. I would rather they spend the time exploring and creating and have to clean up the mess, than them sitting in front of the TV or something.

I am actually shocked that there are so many people that think that lying to their kids is a good way to discipline them.

**Sarie** · 04-09-2006 15:50

Originally Posted by Can I?

I am actually shocked that there are so many people that think that lying to their kids is a good way to discipline them.

Unfortunately I can't afford to actually toss out his toys. But he certainly starts behaving as soon as I threaten to throw out his toy.

**FourAngelKisses** · 04-09-2006 17:27

I wouldn't call it lying. I think it is teaching them that if they don't respect their belongings and our rules, then they will lose their belongings.

**Sarie** · 05-09-2006 07:58

Originally Posted by angel_kisses9798

I wouldn't call it lying. I think it is teaching them that if they don't respect their belongings and our rules, then they will lose their belongings.

Exactly.

**Baby Girl** · 05-09-2006 12:56

I think you have been fair. 3 days is not a very long time for them to earn things back and it puts the responsibility on them to keep the earned toys out of the cupboard.

I can imagine how hard it was for you with them crying for their toys while you were sticking to your guns. You did the right thing by following through completely with it, if you had left even one thing out they would know it would only take some more tears to get more toys back, rather than keeping the room clean.