You Need to Pick Up Your Toys!

I like to say our house looks like the toy bins have thrown up all over the place.  I mean, the toy baskets often go unused while the toys just spill out all over the floor.  And as the kids get bigger, the toys get smaller.  Is anyone else having the lego nightmare like we are?

In an effort to try and get my kids to be more cooperative in the cleaning up department, I tried giving them an ultimatum:  if I have to pick up your toys, I'm going to throw them away.  It sends Patty into a tear filled frenzy as she tries to pick up her beloved toys.  It makes me feel like a big 'ol meany.  To redeem myself, I help her pick everything up.  JT is a whole 'nother ball game, he will sit on the couch and proclaim, "Just throw them away, mom".  Did I mention he's four?  Not to be outsmarted, I get the trash bag and start to pickup, he joins me quickly not willing to try my bluff!

I'm pretty sure this is not what the doctor had in mind when she told us to practice "positive parenting".  My take on positive parenting is pretty simple.  Don't use words like don't, stop, quit, and no!  I'll be the first to admit, I don't get through the day without saying those words, usually I say them several times before bedtime.  But, I have been trying to add more positive things: "I like how you put your toys/shoes/backpack away."  Something else that I found works pretty well is "it makes me really happy when you put your toys/shoes/backpack away."

I got tickled the other day when JT said, "Daddy needs to pick up his tools before you get a trash bag and throw them away."  ;-}  We're redoing the drywall in our living room and things are a mess right now.  I guess it just goes to show that your kids do listen to you, even when they use what they've heard against you!