Anyone have an effective method (short of stun gun) to get kids to stop leaving their crap all over the house? I just posted this question on my group as well, so I apologize if it's redundant. If it isn't, feel free to join "Secrets of a Suburban Soccer Mom" so the next time it will be! JK

My kids are not little any more. There is no language barrier issue. They seem to be immune to threats and I am really, really, really (and I do mean REALLY) sick of picking up their dirty socks, nerf darts, torn out magazine pages (teenage daughter), empty juice boxes, and crushed up, chewed on juice box straws (that are never in the same place as the empty juice boxes...go figure).

I've tried throwing their things away. They must think that toys, writing utensils, socks, juice boxes, etc. grow on trees because they really could care less.

Am I being unrealistic here? Should I lower my expectations? I just want the house to stay in some kind of reasonable condition. Right now it looks like we just had a party and believe me...we did not!!!