School's out for summer! Does the thought of having your kids at home for six weeks or more fill you with joy or horror?

Well, if your reaction is horror it may be because you know that you face spending your summer constantly fire fighting an increasing accumulation of kids' mess, debris and junk!

But it doesn't have to be this way. Whether your children are teenagers or toddlers they can be persuaded to help keep your home tidy if you establish a few basic rules rewarded with a few treats.

The long summer break is a great time to establish some new rules and routines which can extend into the new school term and beyond.

Teenagers usually require some funding from their parents but they should be made to do some chores in return. It is important that youngsters value money and earning it is a great way to start.

So, give them weekly chores to do such as vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom or walking the dog.

Make their allowance or pocket money dependant on doing their chores well. In this way they will become more responsible and appreciate the value of money at the same time.

However, they should also be doing jobs around the home as a matter of course – with no reward other than your thanks!

If they want washing done, only do it if it is already downstairs, by the machine, sorted into colours and whites.

If they want a snack, make it clear that you always expect to find the kitchen in the state you left it in and that plates and mugs left in the sitting room are not acceptable!

Of course, perfection all the time is unrealistic and, frankly, weird when we are talking about teenagers but with praise when you notice helpful behaviour and by keeping recrimination to a minimum, helpful habits can be nurtured.

So make your expectations and consequent rewards very clear this summer and hopefully, your kids will begin to respect their home and the work that goes in to keeping it welcoming and comfortable for every one in it.

Brigitte Girling, of Style2Live, can be contacted, 01379 897248, or www.style2live.co.uk