the "Lost and Found" at home

What do you do about kids not putting away their stuff? How do you apply natural consequence without having to live in a messy house all of the time?

When trying to figure out natural consequences for your kids, ask yourself what would (does) happen in the real world.  Try to set up systems in your home that would teach your children how to be responsible for their own things...

In the real world, if your child left their items in a public place, what would happen to it? If it was a park, it might stay there until they come back, but sometimes a natural consequence is that it disappears.  If they leave their things out at church or school, it would probably go to a "Lost and Found" area where they would need to come back and retrieve it.

If you have a very messy house from kids leaving out their things, I would suggest you start your own "LOST and FOUND" box.  Keep it in the garage or some place that is out of sight and doesn't bother you each time you walk by.  If you want to be super organized with it, make the child identify what they lost before you give it back to them (this happens in the real world!  Most of the time you can't rummage through items, you have to know what you lost before you can get it back.)  If you don't have the patience to be all proper about it, let the kids go through it to find what they need.  But it's important not to be negative or condescending.. have fun with it!  They are learning important lessons and you are here to teach them.  

If your goal is to keep a clean house and to teach your kids to pick up after themselves then the first thing you should do is pick up after YOURSELF.  It always starts with example.  Put all your things where they belong and get really systematic with baskets and shelves and labels.  Get excited about your own level of organization and let that rub off on the kids.  Chances are the more organized you become, the more your kids will recognize that it's fun to be organized too.

IF they don't naturally follow with their own improvements, then don't force it on them or nag them about it.  But don't save them either and put things away for them..  Just allow them to feel the frustration of not being organized.  (because it is frustrating when you don't know where your things are.)  When they leave something out, put it in your "Lost and Found" bin and make them scrounge through it to find what they need.  Sooner or later, they will realize that it's better to put away their things in the same spot.  If they are stubborn and will not learn the lesson, make it harder for them to get their things back... have them earn money (or fill up a sticker chart) to earn their items back.  You want them to have respect for your home and respect for their own things and when they have to earn them back, they will eventually get it.  

If they cannot keep track of their things, they probably have too much.  Have a three strikes, you're gone rule.. and donate it!  Downsizing is my quick answer to all life's problems. 

This isn't the only way to teach your kids to be organized, its just one suggestion.  If you have more ideas feel free to share them in the comments!