[Solved] Lazy Kids

Nothing worked with mine. We tried charts and stickers, logic, money rewards, shouting. In their late teens now and unless they want something - it is always a battle.

Would love some ideas....

I've found loosing things works well.

I have 2 eight years old boys, one who lives with me (step son) and one that doesn't (birth son) when they don't put toys away they loose them, if the don't clear away after themselves they loose toys,tv,books or time playing out.

You could work this round to whatever they care about most, my stepson loves his Lego, so if he leaves it out he looses it whereas my son would rather watch tv so he looses time watching it.

If we have to tidy the bedroom the toys and books that are left out get taken away.

And I guess the biggest thing is don't threaten and not follow through or give in at a shorter time than said for loosing something or they won't take it seriously

I'd agree with Darren, that taking the things they care about away can work. You could also give them choices (we do this mainly by following the pricipals of 'Love & Logic for Teenagers' Book), e.g. You have til 6pm tonight to get your room picked up, hoovered & dusted. If it's not done by then I'll do it & you can owe me a job. You choose! Typically, if one of mine chooses not to pick up & clean her room I'd gladly do it & give her the job of cleaning our 2 guinea pig cages out. A job I hate! My 13 year old chose to do this once & has never chosen to do it again!! 😉

I also find that my other half & I have to work as a very tight team to keep consistancy & never criticise the other one in front of the children. If we are giving choices, we try (as far as possible) to discuss these choices 1st so we're in agreement.

It's a hard time for anyone with teenagers or almost teenagers. I was never prepared for it to be as hard as it is. My 4 & 6 yr old seem like little angels!

I am not sure there is an easy answer - my 12 year old couldn't take his camera with him the other day as he had lost the memory card - I shouted at him and made him pay for a new one.

They both live in disgusting bedrooms and if I didint nag so much we would soon run out of glasses as they would all be their bedrooms.

The only time we get them tidied is when they want a friend to stay over - maybe that is the answer!!

As for picking up after them there is an answer - GIVE IT UP - I don't know why I bother but every time I go in the kitchen there is a bottle of drink left on the side, in the living room is an empty glass, plate etc

So if anyone has a success story I will buy it off them

SHall I start the bidding?

I live in the hope that one day, they will have houses and I will be able to go around to theirs and leave a mess. 😀

I live in the hope that one day, they will have houses and I will be able to go around to theirs and leave a mess. 😀

😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆

We use a jobs rota and everyone (including me) has a job. Its up on the wall and each weekend we rotate down.

We also do family meetings on a Sunday eve to plan the week ahead - we sometime use that to link things our teenagers want us to do for them e.g. ferry them around etc to them doing the agreed jobs or homework... We do try to make it a real honest negotiation so they don't feel bribed but it really works.

We also use the meeting to share high and lows of the week, or even sometime do a 'round of compliments' where you have to say something you like / love about the person on your left. It was a bit clunky at the start but with kids 10-15 it really helps break the negative bickering etc.

Lots of other ideas but try these as a starter.