Children psychologists say establishing regular routines is one of the things that bring predictability and stability in our homes. One such is teaching our children to take care of their bedrooms. Dumase Zgambo-Mapembaresearches and writes on the topic.
They say what you instill in a child when they are young is what they will grow up practicing. Of course, there are exceptions to this. Some people behave contrary to how they were brought up.
Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker, a psychologist specialised in couple and family therapy, says a tidy and peaceful room or space is what we need when our spirits are down.
If you have a bedroom that is disorganised, it psychologically makes matters worse. This applies to children, no matter what age.
In decor courses, one thing that you learn is colours and their psychological effects; de-cluttering and the principle – less is more. When you have a well ventilated, illuminated, neat, and organised room with serene colours such as white, pink, light blue, lilac and brown, whoever gets into that room will be naturally calmed.
It is essential that we teach our children, from toddler years, to clean up their mess and clean up their rooms. Here are a few tips that we can follow:
Encourage them to own the room
When children feel they own something, they value it. Tell them that the room is their space and they need to take care of it.
Putting things back
Teach the children to put back things, after using them, where they found them.
Set a good example
If your bedroom is always messy, you cannot make a good teacher. Children learn by observing. Sometimes when you go against your own words or actions, children usually point it out.
Teach them to be orderly
Dr Walker says it helps a lot if everything has a home. You need to provide the kids with boxes and bins.
We have many shops in Malawi that can either sell cardboard boxes or even get them to you for free. Get creative together with your children by coating and labelling the boxes with different coloured papers or by colouring and labelling the boxes.
For pre-teens and teens the story is usually different.
“The three feet of clothing on the floor and the pile of dirty socks, CD cases, and assorted papers is their declaration of independence. In their eagerness to demonstrate they can do as they please, they are willing to displease the adults around them.
She, however, encourages parents to reaffirm the standards for health and safety and close their doors.
“If you taught them well, the lessons learned as children will resurface. Many parents are stunned to see their teens turn into meticulous housekeepers as soon as they move out to a place of their own,” she concludes.
