I have GOT to tackle the dds' bedroom. It constantly looks like a bombsite. Need tips on how to keep it tidy...

[notnowbernard]

... and more importantly, how to get THEM to help keep it tidy (they are 6 and 3)

They are good at helping to tidy-up after playing in the lounge or whatever but when it comes to their room, forget it...

I find it really quite disheartening at times (our flat is small, too)

Oh god all that comic crap, chuck it all!

I sometimes use posh, good quality paper carrier bags (iykwim ie House of Frasers bags) or gift bags - for storing bits and pieces that don't have a 'home' They can then get hung on coat hooks or wardrobe door handles.

Comic crap now gone, hurrah

Another carrier load of recycling

DD1 has a really nice, large, brightly storage box that I have put all her 'artwork' and 'writing' in, and the greetings cards she insists on keeping

When it's full, I will make her sift through it and get rid of some of it to make room for new stuff

Between them they have 9 money boxes!! FFS! Not sure if I can get away with binning them, though...

How do you clear out stuff when DC is a packrat and really does play with most of it almost daily, certainly weekly and really Does notice if you try to sneak some away?

DD still asks about items that I snuck off to charity shop a year or more ago.

If you think you can't get away with getting rid of stuff- box it up and put it away - if they havent mentioned it in 6 months get rid.

I've tried that. And then DD starts asking "Where is...?" about it repeatedly, in month 7+.

when mine ask - where is, I just breezily say - not sure, it'll turn up... That seems to work.

Bribary works a treat here. I have just gutted dd1's room. Spent all of Sunday night doing it actually. They had to be put to bed in my room.

Dh had allowed them to take the potty in their room and had spilt . Their room stunk when I went to put them to bed.

I have told them, that if they keep it tidy they can go and feed the ducks on Saturday and we will go into the park cafe for ice cream and get some pop corn and a film on the way home.

It's still spotless. Last night I heard dd1 tell dd2 "No, you must put that dolly back in the cuboard if you want another one, or we won't be able to go and see the quack quacks."

This morning when I told dd1 to get her uniform on she politley asked "Could you please pass my pinafore and cardigan from the top drawer. I put them there so they weren't on the floor making a mess."

Finally finished!

It looks fab. Now I can stop whingeing about us not having enough space and concentrate all our efforts on keeping it tidy instead. Because, clearly, there IS enough space, if it's used properly (just about, anyway)

Have told the dds that we will be having a 3 minute tidy-up every night before bed

Thanks all for tips and advice!