Cleanup time doesn’t have to be a pain for parents – or for kids

We all know that children are great at making a mess. But they can also help clean those messes up, too – especially if their parents make cleanup time more fun. (Stock image)

By Alexa Dill MS PLMFT, adill@stph.org

Clean-up time can be a source of stress for many parents. Often, children do not want to help with cleaning up the mess they created. At The Parenting Center, we encourage parents and children to take pride in their space.

Here are some tips and tricks for helping your children contribute to the cleaning-up process:

Use a timer. The more visual the better, but you can use any timer, from a kitchen timer or an app on your phone. Have your children set the timer themselves and communicate with them that once it goes off, it’s time to start cleaning. So much of children’s lives are out of their control and unpredictable, this allows them to have time to wrap up what they are doing and have some control over the situation at hand.

Sing a cleanup song. This is something we do all the time at The Parenting Center! Singing a song and helping your children with the cleanup process definitely makes cleanup time quick and exciting – and fun!

Reward good behavior. At The Parenting Center, we give “cleanup stickers” to little helpers. This simple reward makes children eager participate in the process.

Don’t underestimate your child. Children are often capable of a lot more than we, as parents, think they are. Even young children can help with the cleanup process. Whether that involves helping you load the dishwasher, load the washing machine, clean the countertops – anything you can do to help them to become involved. This establishes a sense of accountability and pride in the child, and allows them to understand the meaning of taking pride in your home and the space you live in from an early age.

Beat the clock! Making a game out of cleaning up can be a fun way to get your kids involved! See who can pick up the most amount of toys in the time allotted. As Mary Poppins says: “In every job that must be done, there’s an element of fun. You find the fun, and – SNAP! – the job’s a game!”

We hope this article provided you with some tips that you can use in your own household. Remember, The Parenting Center offers Parent Coaching to the community so if you or someone you know has a child who struggles with transitions, we are ready, willing and able to help.

Parent coaching is a one-time session, priced at $20. You will have the opportunity to meet with one of our educators and receive support and tips to help with whatever parenting struggles you may be facing. Call The Parenting Center at 985-898-4435 to set up an appointment.

Alexis Dill is a provisionally licensed marriage and family therapist. She serves as education coordinator at St. Tammany Health System’s Parenting Center and can be reached at adill@stph.org.

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Below, find descriptions of upcoming Parenting Center classes for parents and new siblings. For details and a full calendar of events, visit STPH.org/Parenting Center, email adill@stph.org or call 985-898-4435.

• On Thursday, July 30, the Parenting Center hosts a one-day Safe Sitter course from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost of the class is $75 per student. The class will teach children CPR, choking rescue, child safety and safety in an online world, child care, life and business skills, along with behavior management and much more. The class fee is nonrefundable. Bring a bag lunch, snacks included. All students must wear masks or other face coverings. For details or to register, visit STPH.org/Parenting Center, email adill@stph.org or call 985-898-4435.
• On Friday, July 31, The Parenting Center will host a “Who’s the Boss?” class via Zoom beginning at 11:15 a.m. The class, which is free and open to the community, will teach parents ways to be consistent, and how to avoid giving in to their children or make promises they cannot keep. For details or to register visit STPH.org/Parenting Center, email adill@stph.org or call 985-898-4435.