Struggling with Teenagers and Mess: How Can I Get My Kids to Clean Up After Themselves?

[reverence]

I feel your pain... I've a 13,11,5 and 3yr old n find the older ones are much worse for making mess and not cleaning up after themselves than the little 2... drives me mad!

 

[kirutu3]

Do u pay for their phone bill? You can freeze their data. And pin protect the tvs/consoles too

 

[kingjamesversionbibleonly]

I would stop paying for their phones change WiFi password (ask phone shop if they can cut data for 48 hours or block phones) take clothes shoes leave bare essentials leave only basic food and water etc. My son has always been respectful but knows if not loses luxuries always works with him and my twin girls who are 24

 

[iceteata]

Take phones/computers away until they've done what you've asked. If they want money they earn it! Currently dealing with 2 teenage boys that won't do anything as they "CBA" ... They soon do chores when they need something from me. Hard bloody work

 

[starshine]

Take their phone chargers. Watch them panic as the battery drains.
Change WiFi password
Change Netflix/stan/ whatever you have passwords.
Give no access to any money
Spend your time in your room enjoying all the things they can't until they learn that you are their mother....... not their slave.

 

[wareh]

F

 

[naomilovespurple]

Lmao I dread this as my partner has a 5 and 3 year old, and I have a 4 year old.. so dreading the 15,14 and 13 year olds

 

[alisonm328]

Take their phones!!! Only thing that works in my house

 

[shlbycindy]

let them keep their devices take the chargers and power cables until they earn them back

 

[maggiek1]

Remove their phones , disconnect their games machines , computers, etc, etc ( just take the power cables ) and give them a list of jobs and only when their jobs are done and done properly do they get them back . And stick to your guns don’t give in to them.

 

[jfiercly]

My daughter gets an allowance every month. I just threaten to stop it, or deduct from next month. Usually works.

 

[lillydivine]

I've had my children helping since they were little, because we are a large family, and there's no way I could have managed otherwise. They each have to take care of their own bedrooms, have another allocated area of the house that is their responsibility, help prepare one or two meals per week, and help with other kitchen chores. They are also responsible for doing their own laundry. But they accept it as part of how our household functions, and it is also preparing them for living independently in the future. Only have 2 youngest living at home now, Boy 17 and Girl 19, and they are both helpful and responsible. My son has actually become a bit of a nag if we don't keep the kitchen tidy!

 

[comicbookguy]

Oh wow big hugs
I thought my kids were bad but all 3 of mine he'll around the house!!
I really feel for you
Personally I'd take chargers away.
Change passwords like WiFi, netflix ect
Then I'd do a board With chores on and what they can earn back once chore completed?

 

[test12345]

I take my kids phones tablets fire sticks anything that they love I will take off them till they have done what they have been asked to do

 

[losingfaith]

I have taken away all electronics away from my girls till they learn to keep the place clean they have to proof to me that they can do it take stuff away that they love don’t give back till they learnt I have 12 ,10,and 5 yr old

 

[dorienne206]

Much like others have said, change passwords, remove charging cables etc…
With regard to their mess, put everything they’ve left lying around/their mess in a large /bin bucket (like the coloured rubbery ones from garden centres) and give a deadline for it to be cleared away, if not done then throw it all away (donate etc…) hide items of high value and regift them to them for good behaviour.
One thing you could consider is getting them to have a big clear out of their bedrooms and check they have enough storage.
Good luck I hope you find something that works.

 

[lelouch]

Are you paying their contracts? Put them on hold ? No WiFi no data ?
If they're wanting money make sure they're doing jobs before handing any over.
Kids shouldn't be intimidated by you anyway I don't see that as a win personally x

 

[crazyman001]

@lelouch I think if you don’t pay contracts it affects your credit?

 

[lelouch]

@crazyman001 I didn't mean don't pay it , surely these must be a way that you can pause it or something like when you lose your phone x

 

[crazyman001]

@lelouch I’m not to sure as it’s a contract you sign