Aargh-messy room battle

[FedupofTurkey]

2 skids share a room. Now they're only young 6 and 9, but mess up their room every day - twice or 3 times a day. I know the one is young so don't see clothes fallen off hangers as a mess - its the deliberate throwing/breaking stuff, empty cans, choc wrappers, pulling stuff out of drawers etc that annoys me.

The worst time is when they should be going to sleep-i've had to remove books as they just get ripped and thrown around. So every morning the room is a tip.

It drives their father crazy too and we tell them to tidy it up every day.

What can i do, am i ocd?

Start with a no food allowed in the room rule...

Thanks, There is a no food/no drink rule! I think consequences are needed, so would welcome appropriate ones as nothing seems to bother them, ie, tv, playstation, playing out etc

Ah ok, just suggested that as you mentioned the cans and choc wrappers.

No idea yet as my DD is only (just) 2.

Do you have storage so you remove everything from the room other than the wardrobes and beds and make it really boring? then as they behave they can be allowed some extras like toys and books...

I don't understand the cans & choc wrappers in the room!

You do seem to have very high expectations for 6&9 yr olds.
I doubt they are deliberately breaking things - if they are, then that is acting out, and a bigger problem than untidiness.

Telling kids that age, to keep everything tidy, is asking a lot. Organise things so they are easy to tidy. Storage boxes are very useful. I also think you should be helping them tidy, be specific in your instructions to them. Their definition of tidy will be vastly different to yours, so when you are in the room with them, ask them to put those toys in that box, and those books on that shelf. When they do it, praise them, don't criticise that the books are stacked the wrong way and the drawers aren't organised. Don't make it a big battle or a big deal, just a 5 minutes job at the end of the day. If they get it done (with your help) then reward them with an extra bed time story.

No toys or books should be coming out after bedtime, so there would be a consequence for that the following day - loss of tv time or something like that.

Thanks Most Wicked, thats useful, maybe i am just ocd!