Friday, January 15, 2010

Toy Monster



When I was a young girl in the middle of a older brother and younger sister, my mom created the toy monster to help control the mess around the house. She would give us warnings to pick up our stuff. If we didn't pick it up, she would come around as the toy monster and put all the toys that weren't put away into a bin. We wouldn't see those toys for a week.

In an attempt to control the messes around the house, I brought the toy monster to our house. I have changed things up quite a bit. I first mentioned it to Gavin when I warned him several times to pick up his toys. I told him the toy monster would come if he didn't pick things up. I explained that the toy monster comes around and takes toys we leave out. He took it very seriously. He asked me several questions, like "What does he look like?" and "Where does he live?" I wasn't quite sure how to handle these new questions. I didn't want him to be scared. I told him that the monster lived in the closet in the living room. He went and looked in the closet immediately. Great. I came up with the idea that I would go into the closet and come back out as the toy monster. They loved it. So, now every evening, I set a timer. The boys have that amount of time to pick up before the toy monster appears. The alarm goes off and the boys go crazy. I go into the closet and come back out as the toy monster. I go from room to room as a monster. They do a really great job picking up, so the monster only eats a few things. Eli even gives it a few toys because he loves to see it eat the toy.

It has been a fun game for the boys and and has really motivated them to clean up when I ask. I usually help and work on my own messes. We have had a pretty clean home as a result. We'll see how long it lasts.
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11 comments:

Monica Rich said...

Love this. We do gunny bag. It brings the girls to hysterics, but the toys miraculously get put away.

Lynda said...

this is a great idea. i'm going to have to try it. you know how messy ava is.

Kourtney said...

What a great idea! Love it.

di said...

em i love this! i'll have to try it with dan...i'm always picking up after the man. haha :) kidding. but it is a great idea - you're such a cool mom. :)

Ryan said...

I make my wife sing gunny bag to me all the time. I didn't have this tradition growing up but Cheyns family did.

David and Jana said...

That is so cute! I love that Eli gives the monster toys. What a fun idea!

Tisha said...

love the toy monster!

Liz Green said...

Very clever! I may have to try that some time as Truman is becoming quite the mess maker. I love how Gavin asked questions.

Matt and Jeni and kids said...

You make me laugh! You are such a cute mom! I love reading your posts and this one is great! I have to say, there is a Toy Monster at our house too. The kids have to do little extra tasks or kind deeds to get their toys back.

Julianne said...

I have to say this sound much more fun than the garbage bag that we get out and put toys in. Thanks for the idea, maybe it will be less traumatizing, the bag always puts them to tears! ps- we have a Lightening McQueen car of yours! I'm bringing it tomorrow!

Christina said...

You are BRILLIANT!