Tidy up time without feeling so naggy!

[littleraysofsunshine]

I have a dd (3.2) & (19m) and expecting dc3 on Sunday! So to say the least I am a little bit worn out.

But the main thing is I try to incorporate positive tidy up time but after trying numerous times I end up asking and repeating myself more, or even worse -raising my voice. Making everyone's feathers ruffled.

I find it hard for what to expect from a very intelligent 3.2yo and a very lively 19mo. How to treat them the same but also for their ages? Fairly.

I am usually relaxed, and mess is fine it's just when the not listening occurs, get every single toy out and not play with it, dinner times, bed times. Etc
We like to not set expectations as we just want a happy chilled family life but I also don't want our children to think it's ok to just not listen all the time

Tidy-up time music, in the hope of inducing a Pavlovian reaction?

We do singing to help but sometimes doesn't last long and they're on to the next thing before I know it

Recently I find that asking nicely and politely doesn't work. I'll end up having to shout after repeating myself.

Either that or I have to resort to "tidy up or you're not going..." "Right they'll all go in the bin then" or "no swimming if you don't..."

I hate doing this. It's tedious and hardly works but I just don't know how else I try make it less of a chore

Do you follow through on the consequences?

Didn't make no difference when she didn't go dancing the other night.

I'm very hormonal too at the minute as gave birth 12 days ago. So I feel soooo impatient. And it's not fair on them. I know they've got lots of toys/things all accessible just as we have no room to store for you rotation. But tidy up time is just something they never want to do.

I feel so sad like all in doing is shouting all the time

We used to set a timer and race to see who could put most things in the box. Kids against grown ups.
This worked and paved the way to what we still do now they are teenage and preteen which is to see how much they can tidy up in 15 minutes.

I just feel that I end up shouting and they still don't listen unless I say " oh no swimming" or right it's going in the bin. Hate resorting to this method

Can you have little 'tidy ups' during the day at regular intervals?
I'm a cm'er and normally have 2 20m old's and a 3 year old. We tidy up before nursery run, before afternoon activity and before tea/home time.
The motivation is to get on with the next thing - "oh I'd love to get the painting out but I can't get to the cupboard because there is so much stuff in the way!" That kind of thing.

Congratulations too!

Yeah we regularly tidy. But it's as if it's always a task for them. And me. And I end up nagging to do so.
Having a newborn doesn't help with snappiness lol

Thanks