What would you do about this behaviour?

[CharleeInChains]

DS''s are 4 and 2.

They share a room.

They keep going into it and completley destroying it, i mean cabnets turned over, bookcase torn apart and all books thrown across the room, toys everywhere, to the point where they don't seem to be sleeping as well and i can't walk across it to get to DS2 when he wakes up in the night.

It's driving me insane! I spend at leadt 3 days a week completley gutting it out only for it to be trashed the day after or during the night.

I know they are only young, i don't expect anything huge ad i am happy to tidy it but not to the extent i am having to at the moment! Please don't flame me! I don't want them to be impeccibly neat and tidy!

What would you do?

I can either make them tidy it, continue to tidy it myself which as i explained is taking me hours and i am doing it so fequently or just leave it but thens truggle with thier sleeping and struggle to get across it to get to anyhting or to get to ds in the night.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Yes indeed, Belgianchox. And remember too that kids secretly love having strict boundaries along the lines of what everyone is suggesting. It's a way of showing them you care, and it makes them feel safe because they know what's expected of them.

Thanks for all your replys.

I have just chucked out 3 bin bags of broken toys and i have put as much as i could up in the loft.

I am going to have to start punsihing them differently thatn time out becuase it simply doesn't work.

They are not getting alot for xmas and what they are getting is sets for thier beds/towels and a trampoline for the garden.

They do go out an awful lot they go to the park each days after nursery and are taken out various places at the weekend and afternoon, ds1 does trampolining class and ds2 does aquatots, they get plenty of excersise and outside stimulation even if its just a walk in the woods.

They get told its not exceptable everytime they do something they shouldn't but they just don't listen so im not sure what to do about that.

I have recently given a lot of toys to our local childrens ward as ds1 spends alot of time there as he's got cf.

They are both so physical and are like tiny whirlwinds running through the house.

Another thing i would suggest is to fix the wardrobe and any other furniture that can be toppled onto the wall.
We've done this in our girls bedroom as at around the time DD1 was born there were loads of stories in the news about little toddlers and kids being crushed by falling furniture.
You just need an L shaped bracket and just fix it to the wall in two places.
Just extra peace of mind.
Well done on throwing out the broken toys.
I did that a few months back when i was sorting out toys for childminding and the amount of plastic tat was amazing!
Only want to buy wooden stuff now, don't get so much as it's expensive but it always looks good

Good work so far. Sounds like you have a real pair on your hands, but they'll grow out of it.

I think it's time for me to mention 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan again. (And no, I am not on commission). This helps with similar behaviour problems.

Montessori has a rule about not getting anything out until last played with item is put away. This is brilliant habit to instill, if you can.

Good point, lljkk, and they also set out the children's rooms so that activities are all prepared in little groups to tempt the children in. This might also be a good thing to try.

Just to second Ripeberry's point about fixing furniture to the walls, especially if you put toys high on top. There have been some terrible deaths due to children climbing up on furniture to reach things.

Yes they are a real handfull!

Ds1 has a very wishy washy routine as he is on and out of hospital so often but now he has his Portacath fitted he can have all meds at home so it should be better but he still misses 2 weeks of nursery at a time.

I was up from 2am wit DS2 last night i am so tired he jsut wanted to play cars! but i kept him in his bed and didn't let him, he screamed the place down for hours, i bet my noieghbours love me! On the plus side they didn't destroy thier room last night horray!

I would empty their room of everything except their beds tbh. I would keep a very small selection of toys (maybe 5?) for each child. I'd be ruthless with the rest - chuck / recycle / charity shop etc to whittle them down. Then I'd give them the chance to win one back each day for good behaviour (i.e. not destroying their room). If they do wreck it they lose a toy. I'd also make sure they got out for a good walk and play in the playground each morning and afternoon to burn off some energy.
Would sticker charts also work? Maybe earning some one on one time with you doing something they love for every 3 stickers earnt or something as an additional boost?