Parenting

 by: Jessica Knutson

Here is a simple plan to help your child/teen keep their rooms clean. Don't worry if the room is a disaster. Just set the timer for 15 minutes each day and get started. Continue clearing clutter each day until you find the tops of the dressers and the floor. By the end of the week, you will be amazed at the progress! When you are ready… start the weekly plan.

During the first few weeks, you may want to assist (or at least supervise). Start by making sure that everything in the room has a home. Don't worry about perfect organization, just get the surfaces clear off.

Supplies Needed

Trash bag

Laundry basket

Donate bucket - get rid of the items that they no longer love!

Assorted baskets or buckets for smaller items

Labels - labels make organizing easier

Every Day

Make the bed - have your child do this before the daily task

Monday

Clear all surfaces (dressers, table, nightstands, etc.)

Tuesday

Dust all surfaces - this should be easy since they are all cleared off.

Wednesday

Clear the floor (just the visible parts for today)

Thursday

Sweep or vacuum

Friday

Pick a spot - you or your child can pick one spot for the day. Make a list of all the problem spots in the room and slowly check them off.

- Under the bed

- Behind the dresser

- One dresser drawer

- One shelf

- _________________

- _________________

- _________________

- _________________

Saturday

Change sheets and bring all laundry to laundry room

Sunday

Free Day - you can also use this as a make up day

Each week, make a mental note of the items that end up scattered about. Use baskets, boxes, shelves or create your own solution to keep these items together. You may need to try several different solutions before you find one that works. If something seems to be working... leave it alone!

Each day, encourage your child to perform the scheduled tasks. Give them a time limit and use a timer (15 minutes should be enough time). Don't be too picky, just try to guide them. They will soon figure out that if they clear their dresser on Monday and throw everything on the floor, that on Wednesday they will have to pick that stuff up AGAIN when they clear the floor.

Remember... it only takes 15 minutes per day to keep your child's bedroom neat and clean.