Re dd and tidying?

[DeathMetalMum]

I have asked dd 2.8 to tidy away a puzzle we did before lunch only 24 pieces so not difficult, Aibu to 'ignore' her until she does so? By ignore I mean to remind her gently about the puzzle each time she asks me something.

I find "Yes, when you've tidied xxxx" works well when i'm asked for something.

Tidying is a task that takes lots of mental organisation and they need to be able to do it when they go to nursery/pre-school/school. Starting her off with one puzzle is a really good idea.

Just make sure she knows what you want her to do. Tidying could mean putting it neatly on the floor so make sure she knows that, in this case, it means put it in the box and put the box away.

My son is the same age and has always been told to clear up his toys and is a very tidy child anyway. I ask him, "Can you tidy up xxx please?" 9 times out of 10 he'll do it straight away. If he doesn't I'll ask him again. Nothing else happens until xxx is tidied up.

Hmm - I would have agreed with you a year or so ago, but now I'm not so sure... I just told DD (4) that I wanted her to tidy her room before her grandparents visit. She said she would tidy hers after I'd tidied mine!

I'm going to have a cup of tea and consider my next move.

This is making me :o because at 2.8 I'd have described DS1 as a very tidy child by nature, almost worryingly so... room always so perfect he was almost in pain if his messy sister looked at his toys in case she made a mess, always tidied one thing before starting another... Now at 6 his room is a permanent tip, he has huge tantrums when asked to tidt, and when I help him he manages to contribute very little. Jeckle and Hyde...

DS2 has always been a whirlwind scruff however, not a tidy bone in his body, unless he's organising lego by colour and size...

Well dd eventually tidied. After having a nap which she normally doesn't though unsurprisingly as she had dp up all night and early this morning. Dd was not happy when she woke to the puzzle still on the floor!

We had that one, Minshu. I said "OK, I'll do your job..." "and you can do my jobs. So I'll tidy your room and you can clean the toilet, cook dinner and tidy the kitchen afterwards. Oh and don't forget to vacuum everywhere."

After some thought, she decided tidying her room wasn't that bad...

Bless her!

She's lucky to have a mum who's going to play the long game and give her these skills asap. It's been quite a shock to some of my childminded children when they've realised they have to help clear up the mess they have made.

Your DD will be one who takes it in her stride.

I always offer to race my DGC to put things away.

I'm very good at losing...