Okay, I have

Chatterbox: Down to Earth

Okay, I have

Okay, I have a big problem here and I hope maybe you guys can help.

Basically, yesterday my room was a mess (I share it with my little sister). So, I told my sister we were going to clean it up. We went upstairs and I began to clean up all my stuff, while SHE just sat there stalling, playing with everything she found. Soon all my stuff was put away and everything on the floor was hers. She promised to clean it the next day, and since it was getting late, I agreed.

Now it's the next day, and the mess is STILL THERE. She refuses to clean it up. She's always making excuses and tries to avoid cleaning it. She's almost nine years old; I think by now she should be able to clean up her messes without having to be told to. My mom and dad are sick, so they can't really help me. 

Any ideas on how to make my sister clean her mess up and then KEEP IT CLEAN?

Thanks! 

submitted by Older Sister
(August 18, 2014 - 11:09 am)

back to the Down to Earth

I have this problem all the time, except I usually end up starting out with the mess before my younger sister helps (or not). But in the end, she usually cleans it. 

Maybe threaten to throw everything away if she doesn't clean it up? If it's all her stuff, then you can pick out those things that you like, and scoop the rest in the trash bag. If she doesn't care, you have the mess gone and things that won't make a mess again. If the plan works, she freaks out and starts cleaning. You could even start picking out those things that you want to keep or getting the trash bags out, to make the threat seem real, if you don't plan to do it. 

submitted by True
(August 18, 2014 - 2:38 pm)

That's a great idea. I tried doing it, but my sister got really upset and screamed at me, so I gave it back, thinking she'd clean it, but she just dumped it back on the floor and left. And if I throw out her stuff, I'm going to get in trouble.

That was a really great idea, though. Thank you so much for your help. If it had been anyone else, it'd work, but with my sister, it's really tough.

 

submitted by Older Sister
(August 19, 2014 - 6:33 pm)

Top!

submitted by TOP!
(August 18, 2014 - 2:40 pm)

True had a really great idea that works on my sisters.

 

I WISH YOU LUCK! Wink

submitted by E.m.i.l.y., age 12, Somewhere, Anywhere
(August 19, 2014 - 1:40 pm)

Oh my gosh, that sounds exactly like my ten-year old sister. What works for me is telling my parents, but I guess you can't do that, since they're sick. You could try telling her, "I need to talk to you about something." Have an honest talk about how you feel. Try not to accuse her of anything, because then she won't listen to you. Good luck!

submitted by Bookbug
(August 19, 2014 - 2:37 pm)

Thanks! I tried that. She argued at first, but then I reminded her that I'm getting my own room soon, and she needs to learn how to keep her own room clean when I move out, and then she started cleaning. She apologized for being rude, too. Thanks, Bookbug!

submitted by Older Sister
(August 19, 2014 - 6:35 pm)

You're welcome!

submitted by Bookbug
(August 25, 2014 - 11:11 am)

Hey Older Sister! How long have you been on CB?

submitted by Little Sister, age 11, New Hampshire
(October 10, 2014 - 5:12 pm)