Category: Cleaning

Why is My Child's Room so Messy?

4/15/2015

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by foilman via Flickr.com

Johnny is sitting in a big pile of assorted toys and books for the fifth time today. As soon as you pick up everything, it seems it's right back on the floor. You may often find yourself asking "Why is my child's room so messy?" Does a messy room make you a failure? No. Does it mean your child is a misfit? No. All it means is you have something to work on together. As a mother to four who has dealt with this a time or two - or a thousand - what I have learned along the way might help you too.

Is your child's room messy, due to lack of organization? If there are several toys and items that don;t really have an exact spot or are mixed up with others, your child may simply be confused. A lack of structure in the way the room is set up can lead to a child feeling discouraged and indecisive during clean-up time. Set up an organizational system that your child can easily follow. Labeling containers with pictures and words for each type of item is helpful for younger children. Older children should be allowed to set up their organization system themselves.

Can your children tell where things go in their room? This falls in line with the organizational system, as well as brings up another factor. If there is a designated clean-up spot for everything, it makes it less daunting. You know how you feel when you see that big pile of stuff. Imagine that same feeling from a child's perspective. Not having an organizational plan can stress kids further because not only do they have to pick up everything, they have to find a spot for it too.

Has your child been taught about value? Perhaps your kids throw things on the floor because they don't understand about value. If you buy them toys, books, clothing, and other items too often, those things no longer have value. It just becomes the normal thing to do. Thus, the items are just something that can be tossed around and replaced regularly. Set limits on the number of items you purchase, how much you spend, and more. Be sure the kids know these limits and are allowed to observe not only the spending part, but the earning process it takes to get the amount needed for each of their items.

Is your cleaning routine too drab? Perhaps your kids don't want to clean because it's too much of a chore. Just because it has to be done doesn't mean it can't be fun. Put on some music and dance the room clean. Give the kids each a reusable grocery bag or a kid's shopping cart, have them fill it up with items, and race to put them away. A creative and fun game will get their attention faster than screaming in frustration. It will also save you and the kids from further stress.

Is there more stuff than space to put it in? If your child has more toys than places to keep them, the problem is not your child being messy. The problem is too much stuff. What do you expect him to do with it if there's nowhere to put it? This calls for a sort and donate situation. You and your child can discuss kids that don't have enough toys to play with and how there is too much in his room. Together, go through the items and decide how much to keep, based on room to store it.

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Can a House with Kids Be Too Clean? Certain Cleanliness Habits May Do More Harm Than Good

2/12/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by amseaman via Flickr.com

When you have a baby, the first thing you might do before the homecoming may be to sanitize everything in the house. But that may not be the best practice and could even lead to health risks, according to research. Can a house with kids be too clean? How much cleaning is too much?

Is Sanitizing a Good Thing? Do Germs Have Hidden Benefits?

Sanitizing is is obviously a good idea when known viruses are around, such as the flu. However, WebMD states that too much sanitizing can actually kill the germs that help build a child's immune system. These germs are a necessary component to teaching our children's bodies to build immunity. If we kill them off, kids can be more prone to allergies and other illnesses.

Dangers of Household Chemicals

WebMD also reports that common household chemicals, like chlorine bleach, can actually be more harmful than some of the germs you're trying to kill with them. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health, if you can smell the chlorine bleach, exposure levels may be too high to be safe. So, the next time you want your house to smell fresh and clean from bleach or other chemical cleaners, think again for the safety of the kids and yourself.

Healthy Cleaning Habits

Washing hands often has long been known to help prevent the spread of infection. This is still true. Use sanitizers and antibacterial soaps sparingly. Using them too often can actually cause certain bacterias to build up a resistance. Then, when you actually do need the extra protection, it may not be as effective. Plain soap and water does the trick for general use throughout the day. Oh, and if your baby drops a couple Cheerios on the floor and pops them in her mouth afterward, don't panic. She'll most likely be just fine.

Now, just because you don't need to sanitize as much does not mean you should just let the messes pile up. However, letting your child play in the dirt is most likely not going to harm him or her. It may even be a good thing. A fair balance between too much cleaning and not enough is recommended. So, the next time you go on a crazy house cleaning spree, remember not to overdo it with the sanitizing. Some things just do not need to be cleaned in that way.

Alternative Cleaning Solutions

You may now be thinking what to clean with if not bleach. Some alternative household cleaners include vinegar and water, lemon juice, and diluted thyme oil. By using natural household cleaners, you are helping save the environment and possibly the health of your child. Keeping your bathroom germ-free is possible without the harmful ingredients in chlorine bleach and other common household cleaners.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Why is My Child's Room so Messy?

Can a House with Kids Be Too Clean? Certain Cleanliness Habits May Do More Harm Than Good

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