Top Tips For Tidy Tots

By Author: Ellie Dixon
Total Articles: 21
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When you hear the word "toddler" what does it make you think of? Certainly not neat, tidy and clean - toddlers and mess seem to go hand in hand! But there are ways of keeping the havoc a toddler can create under control, without tantrums from either of you.

Let's be honest about this, it's possible to clean up after a toddler the whole day long and still be facing a mess in the evening. But think about this - isn't it much more sensible to let mess fall where it will during the day and wait until bedtime before you start to pick up the pieces. That compromise will give your toddler important freedom in her play; she can pick and choose between various games without fearing that they're going to be cleaned up behind her.

Try to be flexible about clearing up. If your toddler's in the middle of constructing a brick city or setting up a doll's picnic, then don't insist that he has to put everything away just because it's bedtime. Carefully relocate the work-in-progress out of everyone's way and let him continue where he left off the next day. If he's completed the project, but isn't ready to dismantle it yet, then ...
... respect his desire to keep it all on show for a while.

When it does come to tidying up time, remember you're the one who requires everywhere to be tidy - your toddler isn't that bothered. It's only fair that you undertake some of the work. But make the cleaning up process a team effort. Try not to be overwhelmed by the havoc, and take one room or area at a time. Breaking down an enormous task into small pieces makes it less daunting and frustrating for you both. When your toddler's helping you, allocate her specific tasks one at a time, eg "Put Big Bird on the shelf, then put your cuddly puppy next to him" rather than "get all your cuddly toys and put them on the shelf.

Endeavour to make the cleaning up process fun - instead of snapping at your toddler - "Put your toys away now!" why not suggest "it's time for the cars to go back to the garage now?" Challenging your toddler to a race that he can win is another way to make clearing up fun, eg "Let's see who can put the most crayons in the box by the time I count to ten!" Singing along to the work also makes it go more smoothly. You can also make tidying into a learning experience - try teaching colours by saying, "You put away all the yellow bricks, and I'll put away the blue ones".

Don't make work for yourselves - invest in some easy-to-reach child-friendly storage - low and open shelves, shallow bins and boxes, pegs that aren't unreachable. Avoid using one big toy chest as toys will sink to the depths and get broken which will result in tears and frustration when your toddler can't find what she's searching for.

Finally - don't insist on perfection. If your toddler seems to enjoy on mess and muddle (and most do!) don't insist she keeps her own room absolutely immaculate. Make sure the rest of the house meets your standards, but allow a little flexibility in her own area. And once the job is done, why not sit down with a good book from Scruffy's Bookshop - www.scruffysbookshop.com - the ideal place to find a great selection of kids e-books as instant downloads to read together after an exhausting session of clearing up!