I found the Cleaning Fairy!

I was in for my annual check-up and had to wait. So, I grabbed a magazine. I can't remember the magazine's name, but it had an article about how to make life easier for mom. Every magazine has one of these articles, they come under such titles as: "How to Get Organized in 30 seconds or less", "The 30-minute Meal", "How to get your kids to behave" because somehow Moms just don't know how to do it. They tote themselves as "Family Magazines" so you'd think articles would address Dads, but usually those articles are cute ones about how great and awesome Dads are! I am sure they did all the market analysis needed to know their target audience is a working mom between the ages of 25-45 (because most of these magazines also talk about how busy you are after a long day's work). There is an injustice (although I am noticing a bigger change among my generation--Dads are more active). Moms are expected to work all day and come home to the "second shift". So, any help in this avenue is needed, I guess.

I'm not a working mom. No, I stay at home and need help getting my house organized, kids behave, and how to cook that perfect 30 minute meal.

My biggest problem is cleaning. Especially, the kids' rooms. I need their room to stay clean, for my own sense of peace. So, one blurb in the article (it was readers who sent in their suggestions) jumped out at me: a mom mentioned the cleaning fairy.

The cleaning fairy?

Yes, the cleaning fairy!

I have heard about the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, and Easter Bunny, but never a cleaning fairy! And, this marvelous woman talked about there being such a person! I know when my friends are on facebook, and frustrated or exhausted from cleaning, they do beg for her. No one mentioned actually finding her! So, I thought she was only in our dreams.

NO! She does exist!

But she doesn't clean for you. DARN, right?

NO, she motivates ("how to motivate your kids" is another good article by these family-oriented magazines) your kids to clean for you!

SWEET JUSTICE from cleaning up after their spit-up, stepping on their toys and hurting your foot, and wiping poopy butts for all those years? I say so.

So, here's how she works:
If a room is clean, she leaves presents for the kids. WAIT! Isn't this bribery? No, it's positive reinforcement. Bribery is bad. Positive reinforcement is good. This is no different than telling them Santa will not visit unless they are good all year. The cleaning fairy serves a purpose I'm telling you!

Here's my twist (making it more positive reinforcement...SEE?): The children don't know when the cleaning fairy will come. She doesn't necessary come every day. But, she definitely won't come if your room has ever been messy since her last visit. I'm shameless.

My children have been cleaning and checking their room every day. Yesterday, the fairy brought them suckers. Today, they rushed around and cleaned their room. Holy smokes! They are actually doing it without my asking? Yelling? Threatening? This woman is brilliant!

I'm not naive. The nostalgia of the cleaning fairy will wear off and the girls will stop cleaning. But, for even a week of not fighting works for me. Now, let's see, who should visit next? The hygiene fairy?