To think this isn't a secret code only mums know?

[CheeseIsMyPatronus]

When I'm downstairs and come across an item that belongs upstairs, I put it at the edge of a stair so the owner can collect it on their next trip upstairs. Be it pens, papers for the office, books, school work, socks, hair clips... if it's small enough to go on the stairs it sits there to be taken upstairs. Don't most normal people do this?

Whenever I climb the stairs I pick something up and drop it in the appropriate room (bathroom, office etc). I don't take the kids' stuff up now they're all over 14 because they don't like me going in their rooms when their not around. Fair enough.

My husband, sons and daughter all walk straight past everything each time. Even when it's their things. My brother does the same at his house, walks right by it without a glance. Drives my SIL nuts.

IABU - yes, this is some secret witchcraft code only mothers know so obviously you have to ask them speciffically every single time

IANBU - no, the lazy numpties should get their arses in gear, you are not domestic staff.

I got so sick of it I started putting their shit in paper bags or a label and writing in BIG BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS "Items in this bag will be discarded on <insert date>". At first, if it was expensive stuff or school papers I usually hid it until I felt they'd panicked long enough. But I did actually throw a bag or two of random crap away to make sure they got the message. It worked for the most part.

Leaving stuff on stairs is a tripping hazard

In the hall, We have a bag for life for each family member. Their responsibility to empty it. If it fills up, it goes in the garage and they get another one in the house. Works for us. They can tidy up when they want. I don't have to look at their crap. Quick and easy to tidy away if we have visitors

Just change your rules. Put their shit in a bin bag, tell them the new rules are anything in a bin bag gets thrown in the bin after x hours.

These are for sale all over the place, so the ‘putting it on the stairs to be taken up next trip’ approach must be almost universal. We certainly do it, but it’s never long before one of us goes up, so it stays manageable.

I live by the rule to never go up or down stairs empty handed.
Really helps stay on top of things