Inspired by Aurora's trained Hubby thread..how do you train your child?

[TheOtherVillainess]

Every night I spend at least half an hour after DS goes to bed picking up his toys in the living room. I'd love it if he learned how to pick them up himself, but I wonder if that's asking too much of an 18 mos old.


TOV

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I don't think he's to young to learn. Make it a game and have him help you.

Sing a little song like:

we're going to pick up the toys
up the toys
up the toys
we're going to pick up the toys
and put them in the _________.

Then go around and pick up a toy, have him pick up a toy and put it where ever it is the toys go.

 

[Kermit]

I think an 18 month old is too young to pick up toys by himself. You'll defnitely have to tell him to do it for a while, and you'll probably need to do it with him as well, at least until he's 2 or 3.

My philosophy with child rearing is that I'm training their hearts, not their behavior. As a Christian, I want my children to do good things because they're pleasing to God--not just because of fear of punishment, a mad mom, or something like that. Anyway, since they don't really have much of a conscience when they're little, our rules right now are the basics, designed to keep them safe and make our house a happy place to live. We'll start making rules that aren't quite as important when they're old enough to understand that other people have feelings and that doing things that make God and other people happy is important.

 

[parrothead365]

We used a rolled up newspaper...Hey, it worked for the puppy .


Just kidding folks..really!

 

[Daxx]

Make it a learning experience, too! At 18 mos., you could ask your child to "bring Mommy the _________" ... this helps your child associate names w/objects. You could also try "Bring Mommy all the toys that are blue" or "Bring Mommy a toy that is square" and go through the colors and shapes. You can also do it by size ... "Bring Mommy all the big toys". This will help a child differentiate sizes. Gently correct when necessary.

If you make it fun, they won't find it a chore.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

What about a spray bottle of water...like for the cats?

Seriously, my daughters are the world's worst. They are 4 and 7 and never seem to pick up anything if I don't follow behind them and MAKE them pick it up. I, too, could use some help.

 

[Daxx]

For the 4-7 year old set ... play this game ... set a timer for 10 mins. and offer a prize if all the toys can be picked up before the timer goes off. Reward with a small treat -- 10 extra mins. of tv, a mini-candy bar, etc.

This will encourage your child to work quickly and make it a game. For siblings, it promotes team effort to get the job done.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Alright..thanks for the suggestions. I was not exactly at my wits' end, but getting there fast because I didn't know what else to do. It seems like I am CONSTANTLY picking up toys.

TOV

 

[va32h]

My kids have a bizarre fixation with certain household tasks. They will literally fight over who gets to vacuum. And my 9 yo loves to scrub the kitchen floor with a sponge (she does a dramatic performance of the "Hard Knock Life" song from Annie while she scrubs - it's hilarious).

And they love to help wash dishes, because it involves playing in water. Sadly, no one wants to unload the dishwasher, which is my least favorite job.

At 18 months, I would have them help me clean up by tossing their toys into a big bin or laundry basket. With my youngest, this has backfired, because she now thinks it is okay to throw toys anytime - but it worked with her brother and sister. I have also tried to model tidy behavior - picking up after myself - putting my own toys away. Although my desk is really a mess.

We have also played "beat the clock" I give them 10 minutes to clean as much as they can (and I do also).

I'm not too picky about their rooms - as long as the bed is made (doesn't have to be perfect) and the floor is clear of toys and dirty clothes, I am happy.

The older ones know that if their rooms get too messy, mom will clean them - with a big trashbag!

 

[Aidensmom]

At 18 months, I had my son "help" me pick up his toys, "If you pick up this, I will pick up this" kind of thing. It was like a little game.