My kids won't move a muscle!

[tallgirl35]

So apart from putting rockets up their backsides has anyone got any suggestions that will help?

They are aged 12 and 9 and I'm fed up of picking up, clearing up, moving things and generally doing EVERYTHING around the house. The 12 year old is starting to sort things herself in that she will wash up/iron etc occasionally, but neither girl is still yet to put things in the wash basket (one even puts things next to it?!?!?).

I would leave it, but can't bear clutter or mess - please help, I'm starting to get sick of my own voice!

[sleepyj]

you sound like me .the older they get the worse they get . i spend all my time cleaning up after mine 2 boys 12 15 hell .

[B00]

I think it's an ability they orginally have but then lose..........

I'll explain.........

My 2 yr old adores washing up (ok she swishes the water around- but hey it's a start!) and delights in putting things in the bin (if i'm lucky it is actually rubbish she puts in there too). Now my 18 year has totally forgot where the kitchen sink is, and believes that the dirt fairy (ie- me) will collect all her rubbish and put it in the bin for her.

If you do find/hear of a way of getting your 19 to do anything around the house, please pass the info on.

Yours
A naffed off mum too
Boo

[jake-the-peg]

Mine too.

But I am embaressed to think back and recognise that I was no better at that age.

Although at least I did do my homework without nagging!

[frilly]

I have 2 boys 9 and 12. I have given up the nagging and constant reminding as you have noticed it doesnt work.
I used to do every thing but then i started leaving a few things to them. Eg. If the washing isnt in the washing basket it doesnt get washed.
They didnt like it when thier fave t-shirts wernt washed and ironed.
They soon learnt where the basket was then.
Good luck

[meltoadhall]

at this age they are old enough to be doing all sorts of jobs, mine do a lot of household jobs and we have a chart that has it all written down. For every job they get a certain amount (10p in my house) and its added to their base rate of the pocket money.
for every job not done 5p is deducted from their pocket money. It works really well and I have 3 girls 7,9 and 11 yrs old.
and if it doesnt go in the wash basket it doesnt get washed, they soon get the message.

[B00]

lol, sorry, but I have a wonderful mental picture of the look that tallgirls 19 year old will give her if she offers to give her 10p to do the washing up- priceless!

[meltoadhall]

what 19 yr old?
if you have more money to throw around, up the money - its tight in my house and the girls are taught to respect that.

[B00]

sorry, I misread the orginal post, I thought the 9 yr was a a 19 year old, really think I need glasses!

[sleepyj]

tell them if they dont start doing things in house your going 2 let it get a right tip then get how clean is your home in 2 clean it up then everyone from school well see

[yummymum]

When i was younger my Mum would take away anything she found out of place ie on the floor and we wouldnt see it for weeks, if she picked the same thing up twice it was gone for good!! harsh but it made us tidy up. She also never let us watch tv, play games, go out etc till we had helped to tidy up.We basically didnt do our own thing till the household stuff and school work was done.

[Maggie-Mae]

I have two sons of 15 and 12 who would basically live like pigs if I didnt keep on at them to clear up after themselves. It is unfortunately, the natural course we all have to follow with children. I find the best thing is to withdraw "privileges" if they dont do what is asked of them. i.e no pocket money, no playstation, no tv, no friends round, etc etc (obviously not all at once). You have to find what is most important to your child and withdraw that privilege. My 12 year old loves his playstation, if he doesnt do his "chores", I remove his playsation from his bedroom! Money is the main motivation for my 15 year old, so he doesnt get his pocket money. It may take a few times of you having to enforce this, but Im sure eventually they'll get the message. Good luck x

[chitchat]

I have two - a 13 and a 12 year old. They do wash up, tidy their rooms, hoover etc. But they only do it when asked - they would walk past the dirty dishes until they were told. They do get pocket money for it sometimes. If they dont do their given tasks they lose something - playstation or MP3 player etc. They are part of a family and they need to learn that we all pull our weight. One day they will have to do it for themselves. It wont hurt them to start now.

Good luck - its not easy and I know what you mean about the sound of your own voice.