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You are here: Home / Newsletter / 80 Week / Get Your Toddler to Clean Up

Get Your Toddler to Clean Up

January 11, 2007 by Paul Banas Leave a Comment

Are you tired of your kids acting like royalty around the house? Making a mess of their rooms as they throw away their clothes and food, expecting you to go picking after them?


Enough is enough – pull yourself out of the mess by teaching your toddlers to help. Its time for Operation Clean Up!


As a parent, the following steps will certainly help with the clean up:



  • STEP 1: Make an announcement. Let your toddlers know that it’s time to clean up. Give them a specific place to put the toys – a plastic tub or a toy box will do fine. Place the container in the middle of the room.

  • STEP 2: Using a loud voice, say “Look at this huge mess. Is there anyone who can help me?” as you are setting the container down. A toddler’s attention tends to pick up this tone. You can also make up and sing a cleanup song to get them into the swing. Remember to be happy and positive about the task.

  • STEP 3: By means of demonstration, pick up some toys on the floor and place them in the container. All the while you can continue with the singing and coaxing.

  • STEP 4: Now is the time to ask your children to (please) pick up a specific toy. Thank them when they start placing toys in your hand or in the container.

  • STEP 5: Always keep a back-up plan, as a consequence for not helping. Give them a timeout or better still, you can threaten to take away one of their treasured items till they start cleaning up.

  • STEP 6: Warn the toddlers only once and then follow through with the consequence if they don’t help.

  • STEP 7: Continue cleaning up the toys until all of the toys are picked up.

Filed Under: 80 Week

About Paul Banas

Paul Banas is happy married dad of two great kids living in San Francisco. He writes now about kids, new technology and how the two interact for GreatDad.com and for Pregnancy Magazine (pregnancymagazine.com) where he is also the publisher.

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Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

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In this inspiring episode of Great Dad Talks, guest Jim Tracy—a father, grandfather, entrepreneur, and author of Building Men: Character Lessons from Influencers- opens up about his journey in fatherhood, the importance of character traits, and the legacy we leave as dads. We delve into lessons learned from influential figures in Jim’s life, the difference between values and character, and practical advice for dads who may not have strong role models.

Whether you’re just starting out as a dad, feeling overwhelmed, or seeking to build a strong legacy for your children and grandchildren, Jim’s heartfelt stories and actionable insights will resonate with you—no matter where you are on your parenting journey.

Check out Jim’s website at www.thejimtracy.com

Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:

– GreatDad.com/coaching 

– GreatDad.com/pq 

– Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC  

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