I have noticed that one thing that instantly puts me in a foul mood these days — faster than an eagle pounces on its prey — is having to tidy up my children’s toys.
It typically begins with either the son or the daughter asking for a toy to be found. Cue for my expression to turn sullen as I battle the multiple hills of assorted toys, trying desperately to find the elusive item. I try my utmost to put everything back in their rightful place, but honestly, it is not easy. My mind bristles at the thought of such a low-value task. I would rather teach my son some English vocab or Chinese idioms.
But I bite my lip as well as the figurative bullet. Because if I don’t tidy up their playroom, who will? (Technically, I can train the kids to do this but it requires me seizing the opportunity when the timing is right.) Until then, I suffer alone, following a lonely and solitary routine of organising my kids’ toys. I pray fervently to the Universe to have some mercy on me next weekend.
We tell our daughter that knowing where her toys are is her responsibility.
If she starts whining about that, we tell her that if she can't find a particular toy, then perhaps that means she has too many and we should get rid of some.
I will try doing that when the 3-year-old shakes off her Empress Dowager phase and is thus able to receive instructions!
Everybody told me about 3yo phase but I don’t beleza so mich – now it comes I believe them.
Good luck!
I know your battle
I'm laughing here because it's so real, when you've just finished putting all the toys away in their place—after explaining that they have a spot and should go back there after playing. 2 minutes later they're all scattered again because that little thing went to get what she wanted, and then wanted another, and another, and another…
She's been learning little by little, and when I speak, she helps me put things away sometimes. I take away access to some of them by putting them up high, explaining that she already has plenty to play with and that those are sleeping and resting; this is to reduce the amount of toys that are just taking up space rather than being used for play.
thanks for sharing your coping mechanism. I should try that instead of succumbing to my irritation
I've thought about how much time is spent tidying up my kids toys. Some of our friends either just let it go completely or just do it once at the end of the day.
Like in your example, when they're looking for a specific toy is when I tell them why its good to put toys back where they belong. Still working it in.
good to know that I’m not alone in facing this annoying challenge haha
I like tidying up but I don’t like doing it unnecessarily so I feel you.
thank you. I need to inculcate good habits in both children to reduce my pain in the future
low motivation, but high reward they say with any sort of cleaning // chore things. let's start with the easiest to the most annoying in a list.
fun and tolerable chores.
meh chores.
the dumbest chores ever.
do you iron your clothes?
I don’t. I find it a colossal waste of time
and luckily, my wife doesn’t believe in ironing either haha
I was reading this, and was about to ask you @cryotosensei. It caught my attention, I'm so interested to know more.
In Japan, children clean their own schools.
Every day. After lunch.
About twenty minutes.
Classrooms.
Hallways.
Toilets.
Not because the schools are too poor
to hire someone.
Because in 1947, this country decided
that cleaning your own space
is part of becoming a person.
The cleaning rag
is on the school supply list.
Right next to the pencils.
Egypt teaches it now.
So does Indonesia.
So does Mongolia.
Think about the last time
you watched a seven-year-old
mop a floor without complaining
I think it’s 45 minutes of cleaning if I remember correctly. the Japanese students do it directly after their lunch period
not only that, I have also witnessed second graders use a child-friendly saw during Art. while that might have been common for the Nordic countries, it would be a strict no-no in Singapore
Responsibility is a great treasure
indeed. but now that I’m married to a Japanese lady, I feel that sometimes her obsession with cleanliness is a tad too much. for example, she cannot stand it if the area outside the kitchen sink is wet. or the master bedroom toilet. she cannot stand moisture outside her predefined boundaries
What a wonderful partner you have!
7
that’s a pretty high score in my book!
I don't like cleaning that much but when I'm done, the relieve acts as a reward to work done
true that. but i still kinda resent it haha
Not my own mess lol
I enjoy organizing and would like their environment to be organized, but at a certain point they either got it or they didn't. Not saying I've given up but I just try to help out when I can.
There are moment where the will is in and other not,
There are moment when it is just necessary,
There are moment when you realize that it s daily need and not something i do not want to do,
There are moment where you are feel happy/relieve, cause your wife can do it :D