I was at a DotMOM Conference and heard Kathy Peel explain this very clever concept – The Clutter Jail. Kathy, author and family manager expert, created a clutter jail for her children. If they left there clutter around the house – she did not nag – she did not chastise – she did not punish. She simply picked it up and put it in jail.
Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
When her child discovered the item was missing he received a notice of bail to release the jailed clutter. Let your imagination run wild. Bail can be set at whatever you need – dishes washed – money for a manicure – babysitting – dog poop collecting. You name it depending on the age and ability of your child! If they don’t want to cooperate then the item stays in jail. In that case, the good news is it won’t be cluttering the house anymore.
I took the idea to iMOM (Kathy is an iSpecialist for iMOM) and they made a tool out of it. I love it – hassle free – that’s for me.
P.S. This concept is particularly effective after Christmas or birthdays when children are apt to leave new clutter about and are really motivated to get it back out of jail. Not that I want you to be a grinch about it or anything.
