a few ideas for kids picking up toys...

bride2003

I was thinking about Amy's post alot and since many had toy pick up issues I saw this fun "printable" that you can put on a box that you confiscate all the toys...

http://todaysmama.com/2012/06/chore-ransom-printable-idea/

Also, last week I got an email from portable north pole so I made messages from Santa for both girls (they are really cute) and I swear the child (Keira) that won't pick up a darn thing has cleaned her room twice since I showed it to her (Santa tells her she needs to work on picking up her toys...)  Worth a shot!

http://www.portablenorthpole.com/prepare-a-message

lala5507

I pulled the Santa video out a couple days ago to try to curb the constant fighting.  They were so thrilled to see Santa but the dang video did nothing to help the lovely behavior that has been going on. 

Luckystar2

lala5507:

I pulled the Santa video out a couple days ago to try to curb the constant fighting.  They were so thrilled to see Santa but the dang video did nothing to help the lovely behavior that has been going on. 

same here! Our elf on the shelf has left some notes too about her behavior and that hasn't helped. Nothing is phasing her this year. 

Meghan&Rich

Mason got a huge kick out of portable Santa last year, I'll have to try it again this year with a message about picking up his toys.  It's funny, at school he has so many stickers on his chart for helping to pick up, but at home he's all dramatic about it - "I don't think I can pick up, it's just too much work, it's too haaaaaaaaaard."

waltsgirl102503

Noah just asked me if Santa sent him an email yet!  We just came back from a Christmas lunch, so I think maybe I will work on that since I'm so full and don't want to work. 

AmandaJLewis

Meghan, EJ is the same way.  we were at a friend's yesterday and when asked to help clean up the art table to make room to color she said she "wasn't that kind of girl"

I was mortified and couldn't help but laugh at the same time. 

Meghan&Rich

Haha!  Sometimes Mason's excuse is:  "I can't, I have bad knees."  (Which I can only assume he picked up from my mom who just had one of her knees replaced.)

rona118

Meghan&Rich:

Mason got a huge kick out of portable Santa last year, I'll have to try it again this year with a message about picking up his toys.  It's funny, at school he has so many stickers on his chart for helping to pick up, but at home he's all dramatic about it - "I don't think I can pick up, it's just too much work, it's too haaaaaaaaaard."

Madi is the same way!! She told me once that she is a good listener at school but has no interest at home. nice.

InkedMegs

When my [now 28-year-old] cousin was about five, her room was a disaster with toys everywhere.  Her mom sent her to her room to clean and about an hour later she was back in the living room playing, toys still everywhere in the bedroom.  Her mom asked her why the mess wasn't cleaned and my cousin said, "I prayed to Jesus while I was in my room.  He said he'd clean it up."

... still my favorite kid story to this day!

egpitt22

Meghan&Rich:

Mason got a huge kick out of portable Santa last year, I'll have to try it again this year with a message about picking up his toys.  It's funny, at school he has so many stickers on his chart for helping to pick up, but at home he's all dramatic about it - "I don't think I can pick up, it's just too much work, it's too haaaaaaaaaard."

LOL, Jake says the same kind of stuff!  "I can't do it, mommy....I don't think I'm strong enough", "I'm just way too tired...I'll watch you do it and cheer for you when you're done"  Gee, thanks.  

 I I just put an app on my phone called magic phone....you program it with your kids name, what they need to work on, etc....then you can select a time for it to call your phone.  When it does, it says the kids name and then talks to them about things they need to work on.  It's cute, and Jake's eyes got HUGE yesterday when Santa called to tell him that he needs to work on listening to his parents.  

bride2003

InkedMegs:

When my [now 28-year-old] cousin was about five, her room was a disaster with toys everywhere.  Her mom sent her to her room to clean and about an hour later she was back in the living room playing, toys still everywhere in the bedroom.  Her mom asked her why the mess wasn't cleaned and my cousin said, "I prayed to Jesus while I was in my room.  He said he'd clean it up."

... still my favorite kid story to this day!

OMG hysterical!!