Can you cope with before you HAVE to clean up?
At the moment, I am doing a very subtle experiment with H and J in that I am only picking up my OWN things, so that eventually they might just notice that it is actually me who does all the tidying, and themselves who create the majority of the mess. Last week the house was in perfect order but things slipped at the weekend as I refuse to waste weekend time doing housework.
So far, the mess I can see consists of - laptop, PS3 controller and tablet on H's side of the sofa, H's trainers and slippers on the floor. Various wires from various machines. Floor cleaner and blue electrical tape on the fireplace left there by H on Sunday night.
On the back of the other sofa, a lifejacket from Sunday morning, H's hat, dressing gown, jumper and jeans. J's pyjamas from this morning, plus a fleece.
I wonder how long it will take them to notice and gather just who it is who is making all the mess...At the moment I'm itching to tidy but I'm determined to prove my point.