There are very few tween and teens who love cleaning their rooms. I’m wondering if those kids exist or if they’re urban legends. They are old enough to capably take care of their room and their belongings, but they lack in motivation.
Here are some ways to get teens and tweens to clean their rooms. Sometimes it just takes a little creativity to get your kids off the dime and the piles off the floor.
1. Power Hour
This is my latest attempt and it’s been fairly successful. We set the timer, everyone has an assigned cleaning task (or tasks), and the whole family gets to work for that period of time. It’s helpful in the kids know it won’t last forever, a deadline can be motivating, and they don’t feel like they’re the only ones in the world having to work. (Of course, they may think they’re the only kids in the history of the world who have to clean their room, but we all know that’s not true.)
Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project and Better Than Before, says that she does power hour to take care of unpleasant items on her to do list.
2. Blast the tunes.
For power hour, we blast fun, upbeat music to encourage fast work. Each family member gets a turn picking the music. You could even put together a playlist that everyone contributes to.
If your kids are too young for power hour and “power 15 minutes” doesn’t sound fun, consider asking everyone to clean for, say, four songs.
3. Know their currency (aka: Withhold devices until the room is clean)
Figure out what’s important to your kid. Chances are, it’s a device or access to technology. For older kids with smart phones or computers, change the WiFi password and don’t give it to them until the room is clean. If you’re like me and don’t have an easily changeable password or don’t know how to do it, just take the actual device.
The iPad my kid loves is currently in the user protection program under my guard. It will be released only when the socks are in either a drawer, or a hamper. And really, unhooking the Wii or other game console and stashing it in your closet is really not that hard but it is very effective. Desperate times call for desperate measures, my friends.
4. Let natural consequences happen.
Will this be painful? Yes, most likely. But many experts agree that a clean room is something parents can and should let go.
Let consequences happen.
Need a jersey for the game, kiddo? Hope you can find it in there. Really wanted to wear that shirt to school today but don’t know where it is? That’s too bad.
Caveat on this one: this works to a certain extent, but health hazards are, by defintion hazardous. Bugs, mold, etc. need to be addressed by an adult. Make sure your kid’s room is at least safe, and step in if you have reason to believe it is not.
5. Reason with them.
If you’re like me, number three is really tough. If you can’t be like Elsa with their bedrooms and humming “Let It Go” to yourself doesn’t do the trick, break out rational thought and reason.
Of course, kids may not be so convinced with their parents’ reasoning, so try having them watch this awesome video of the speech Admiral William H. McRaven gave at the University of Texas at Austin commencement this spring which outlines 10 reasons to make the bed every morning. It’s convincing.
6. Hide something they like in the room. Let them know they’ll likely find it if they clean their room well.
The incentive can be anything at all. My mom first told me this idea and said she saw it with the lure of finding a $20 bill with thorough cleaning. I’m cheap, and that was a bit rich for my blood. I’m thinking that I could do the trick with my fashionista with a cheap pair of earrings. Or perhaps her allowance. Alternatively, leave a note that you’ll take them to get an ice cream, or pizza, when they’re done.
How do you get your kids to clean their space? Is a clean room something important to you as a parent, or are you able to just let it go?
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