The "Clean Room Challenge"

My kids were more than happy to hear that I was nominated for the ALS "icebucket challenge." They then enthusiastically nominated themselves and completed the challenge alongside me to raise awareness for ALS. They were super excited to "anominate" others and checked daily to see if their nominations completed the challenge.....

Which gave me an idea!

If the draw towards competition, the accountability of a challenge, and the inclusion of others in the process can work for the spurring on of a fundraiser and the promotion of awareness for a disease (across all ages, locations, ethnicities, abilities, and demographics)
...could it also work for something more simple and less important, say like...the cleaning of your kids' rooms?!

Well, I hypothesized and oversaw a very scientific clinical trial on this very subject, and the answer is emphatically,  "um, yes! Of course!"

So here you have it....
"The clean room challenge" (as presented to my kids, for my benefit!)

so yes, we still use our 1990's supply of computer paper for all of our art endeavors.
and as for the challenge...if my kids nominated your kids then you can thank me later!


MACEY'S  BEFORE PICS of her (8 years old) & sadie's (9 months old) room:
(....which she insisted on taking herself)

It's not pretty, people! Hence, why we desperately needed a "cleaning challenge."
...and to give you a little perspective on the mentality behind Macey's mess, when asked to clean her room, she asked, "Is President Obama coming over?" ...so apparently in her mind, it doesn't need to be clean unless the president of the whole United States will be the special guest in attendance!


MACEY'S NOMINATIONS (...which, once again, she took the initiative of videoing herself)

JUSTUS (7 years old) & THEO'S (3 1/2 years old)  BEFORE PICS (...which were taken after they started cleaning, because of course they wanted to do it their own way):

JUSTUS'S NOMINATION VIDEO:

THEO'S NOMINATION VIDEO:

After Pics!

When you have 2 bedrooms with 4 kids, loft beds are necessary and messes accrue quickly!
But I was happy to offer quality time with mommy as the reward for completing/"winning" the challenge
...and so, afterwards, board games and Wii were enjoyed by all, along with a snack!



Follow-up:
2 days later and their rooms are still clean!

Testinmonial:
 "Thanks for making us clean our rooms....it just makes me feel refreshed and better when it looks nice."
-Justus, 7 year old participant ;)