[hippogirl]

While I've been reading here for quite a while and have found a load of useful tips (and learned that I am not alone with most of the challenges faced in parenting) I've never really had a question worth posting.

Now I do: I am a stay at home mom of a beautiful little boy. The beauty stops at the doorway to his bedroom. Does anyone else have this problem?

We've tried everything...grounding, taking away allowance, no sleep overs, time outs...nothing seems to work. I just can't get my son to clean up his room.

My sister, with four of her own, has been trying to get me to sign up for this house fairy program which has my nieces and nephews rooms spotless. At first I didn't buy in to it, but visiting for Easter yesterday I was amazed at the tidy rooms she displayed. She showed me their website and the example videos were, admittedly, amazing. After watching them my son wanted to go straight home and clean his room...that was a complete shock. What I found really neat were the 'clean room galleries' where hundreds of parents have sent in photos of their success.

While it all looks great money is tight, even the $13 for this program Does anyone here use this program or have any feedback about it? I'd really like to know what you think While I've been reading here for quite a while and have found a load of useful tips (and learned that I am not alone with most of the challenges faced in parenting) I've never really had a question worth posting.

Now I do: I am a stay at home mom of a beautiful little boy. The beauty stops at the doorway to his bedroom. Does anyone else have this problem?

We've tried everything...grounding, taking away allowance, no sleep overs, time outs...nothing seems to work. I just can't get my son to clean up his room.

My sister, with four of her own, has been trying to get me to sign up for this house fairy program which has my nieces and nephews rooms spotless. At first I didn't buy in to it, but visiting for Easter yesterday I was amazed at the tidy rooms she displayed. She showed me their website and the example videos were, admittedly, amazing. After watching them my son wanted to go straight home and clean his room...that was a complete shock. What I found really neat were the 'clean room galleries' where hundreds of parents have sent in photos of their success.

While it all looks great money is tight, even the $13 for this program Does anyone here use this program or have any feedback about it? I'd really like to know what you think of it. My sister is all for it, but I'd like some outside the family opinions. I also have concerns about the "fairy" aspect of this service, though we do have the tooth fairy visit and this appears similar to that.

Anyone?

of it. My sister is all for it, but I'd like some outside the family opinions. I also have concerns about the "fairy" aspect of this service, though we do have the tooth fairy visit and this appears similar to that.

Anyone?

[MiaCamille]

welcome to Families, i'm sorry i've never heard of this before...

[mrmnmom82]

I have never personally used the house fairy, but the basic consept is that YOU are the "house fairy" They see pam's face on the movies, but it's you who leaves the rewards, and you who is doing the random room checks. She suggests rewards that do not add to the clutter in the child's room : Icecream gift card, trip to the park, movie pass, movie night at home, kid picks the movie-popcorn the whole shebang. Special things that aren't everyday occurances. Instead of punishing a dirty room rewarding effort they put in. Don't nit pic and criticize if it's not perfect. If you can't afford the whole program, I would ask your sister if you could pick her brain and borrow the helpful videos!
Good luck!

[mcmama]

OP did not mention how old the "beautiful little boy" was. But if he is little, it is fairly simple.

If he doesn't clean his room, you will. When he is there. And the toys that are not in their proper place will go missing. He wants them back, he's got to hang up his clothes, put the underwear in the laundry, make his bed, etc - and he gets something back a few days to a week at a time. When it's clean as a rule, and no more threats are necessary, he gets lots of praise on an ongoing basis, and maybe some age appropriate privileges.

You don't need to "sign up" for that - or pay any money. Just do it.

[WinterWitch]

You know house fairy sounds simple and cute. I like to make things fun and not just these are your chores to the kids. My kids have quite a bit of chores not all in one day but as a weekly list. I'm going to check this out even though my kids are younger and older this could be a bit fun.