| Some would joke that the only way to motivate | | | | together work to de-clutter the space. Keep in mind |
| teens is to threaten or bribe them, well those may | | | | that your organizational style my not work for them |
| work but in the long run, they won't teach your teen | | | | so ask them questions as you go along and try to |
| the valuable lesson of accountability {smile}. | | | | help them figure out a way to organize things so |
| As you know, teens never seem to lack motivation | | | | that it is easy to keep up. Another fun way to get |
| to do what they want to do -- talk on the phone, | | | | them motivated is to provide fun, funky and cool |
| meet up with friends, go to the movies, etc. But, | | | | storage bins to use for those small items that seem |
| when it comes down to getting them to do the | | | | to just collect in the corners of their rooms. |
| things that we want them to do and the things that | | | | Set Clear Rules and Let them set the schedule: Be |
| the need to do, that seems to be a different story. | | | | sure that you set clear rules as to what is allowable |
| Here are some tips that we as parents can use to | | | | daily clutter and what isn't. For instance, if you don't |
| help motivate our teens to become more organized. | | | | allow food or dishes in your teen's room, be sure |
| Build your teens confidence by identifying the ways | | | | that they are following those rules and respecting |
| in which he or she is already organized. Everyone, | | | | them. If shoes on the floor are OK, then let them |
| including your teen, shows signs of being organized | | | | know that as well. Teens need clear-cut rules to |
| with some things. Teens love to be acknowledged | | | | follow. Sit down with you teen and simply ask them |
| for a job well done so if your child does a great job | | | | "What day can you carve out at least 1 hr to do a |
| organizing his or her school work or his or her | | | | full room cleaning?" and let your teen set a day |
| clothes, try to encourage them to apply those same | | | | (either weekly or biweekly). What this does is let |
| organizational skills to the other areas in their life that | | | | them know you value their time and schedule and it |
| can use some organizational help. | | | | makes them accountable. |
| Teach them & Have fun. Perhaps your teen really | | | | Finally, be sure you reward and commend your teens |
| doesn't know where to begin! Socks here and there, | | | | organizing successes with either a small token of |
| books under the bed, clothes stuffed behind the | | | | additional freedom or kind words. Keep in mind that |
| hamper. All of this can seem like a battle for them | | | | being organized is all about being responsible. For a |
| that is useless to fight. Why not set up a date with | | | | teenager, gaining trust and freedom from parents is |
| your child to organize his/her space together. Turn on | | | | one of the biggest motivations of all. |
| the radio (to their favorite station of course) and | | | | |