To not be able to keep on top of the kids bedroom?

[NapQueen]

They are 3 and 6 and share. All of their toys live in there too so a bedroom/playroom. Ive whittled their toys and books down and have some sensible ikea storage. In theory, there is space for everything.

But its the clothes putting away, the random game peices loose, the soft toys. All it takes is them going in for 10mins before we leave in the morning and its upside down. They arent even destructive with their stuff but there will be a matchbox car that they have to get that happens to be at the bottom of the car box. Or the hairbow that is currently in season that could he in that box or that drawer.

Home from childminders in the evening and theres an hour to do homework and reading and baths and then before you know it its bedtime and no ones even had the chance to go in their room.

Add in a few days of that and a missed clothes pile not put away and hey presto the place is a zoo.

I cant be the only one who cant keep on top of it surely?

They are good at taking whatever they play with in the lounge and putting it back in their room, and they love playing in their room together at the weekend, but im not standing over them insisting A goes away before B comes out etc.

They try and help at tidying up but just get completely distracted by whatever item they pick up. Im hoping thats an age thing.

When I was little we had a tidy up time song and we had until the end of the sung to see who could tidy up the most, like a race. Instigated by grandma who was a nursery teacher.. it took a good few years before we realised and then cared we were essentially being duped, it just played on our sibling rivalry. It's surprising how much can be cleared away in under five minutes and if you do it every day you don't get the build up of stuff.

I was gonna suggest same as FASH. We have a playroom of sorts but it's open into the living room so there are toys everywhere within 5 minutes of being home. I factor in 5 minutes to tidy up before we go out/eat/go to bed etc. Kids are 4, 2 and 1. All make an attempt though I must admit 4 year old does most of it. Doing this I never 'tidy' toys just dust every now and then.

Age! My dcs are older and tidy their rooms now. Good storage helps - open shelves to pop toys on.