I’m a single mum and here’s how I get my kids to clean up after themselves without any nagging
WE love our kids more than anything in the world – but if have to remind them to tidy away their toys one more time, we’re going to be the ones having a toddler tantrum.
Feel our pain? Then you might want to take a leaf out of Hannah Canavan’s book.
Earlier this week, the single mum posted a TikTok explaining how she gets her children to clean up their mess without ANY nagging.
She said: “I quickly wanted to show you how I phrase things when I want my kids to clean up after themselves – with no punishment and no rewards.”
After walking into her kitchen, Hannah noticed that there was a used bowl and an empty yoghurt left on the side.
“I don’t want them to think I’m just going to pick up after them all the time,” she said. “At the same time, I don’t need to get bad about it. They’re only kids.”
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Maintaining a neutral tone, the mum called out: “Whoever had the yoghurt drink and has had a green bowl with a lolly, please can they come clear it up?”
She added in the caption: “I try and be non-direct as to who it is as it gives them the chance to ‘fix it’ without feeling like I’m having a go.”
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As her daughter entered the kitchen, Hannah added: “If they come when I call them, I always try and smile and welcome them even if they’ve done something I don’t love.”
What’s more, the mum makes a point to thank the kids for cleaning up.
She added: “Even if they ‘should’ have already done it, it’s a good chance to practice manners in general.”
After reminding her daughter to rinse out the packet, the mum added: “I use ‘would you mind please…’ quite a lot.
“It’s how I’d ask an adult to do something small too.”
The mum wrote in the caption: “As a single parent household it’s quite important that we all clean up after ourselves!”
Unsurprisingly, the clip was a hit with Hannah’s followers and has racked up over 92,000 views.
One replied: “Treating them like housemates, friends, equals. So much peace!”
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Another added: “I love this, it also works so much better than giving orders followed by threats and punishments.”
Meanwhile, a third joked: “Should I adopt this method to my 31 year old boyfriend??”