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Fed-up mum makes three messy teenage kids sign 'cleaning contract'

Josh, Olivia, Hayden with mum Katrina Neathey (Picture: SWNS)
Josh, Olivia, Hayden with mum Katrina Neathey (Picture: SWNS)

A mum has forced her three teenage children to sign a 'cleaning contract' after becoming annoyed with their messy habits.

Katrina Neathey, 36, fines her kids £5 for failing to make their bed, drinking fizzy drinks in their room or leaving litter on their bedroom floor.

The mum-of-three finally had enough when she found mud on her new £1,200 carpet, within a few weeks of a complete upstairs refurbishment at their home in West Sussex.

She called kids Hayden, 19, Joshua, 18, and Olivia, 13, to the dining table and presented them with tailor-made, ten-point contracts to sign.

The eldest children agreed they will get fined £5 per rule break - while Olivia has her phone taken away for a day per infringement.

Hayden with mum Katrina Neathey (Picture: SWNS)
Hayden with mum Katrina Neathey (Picture: SWNS)

Mrs Neathey, from Horsham, says her “harsh but fair” parenting has whipped the kids into shape - and she has only pocketed £20.

Josh has had three fines so far - all in one day for two food wrappers hidden in a shoebox and down the side of his bed, and clothes thrown into his wardrobe.

Hayden got a fine for not making his bed.

Josh and Hayden's contract

  • No eating in bedroom

  • No juice or fizzy drink in bedroom - only water

  • Make bed

  • All clothes must be hung up or put away

  • Put dirty washing in wash basket

  • Keep room tidy

  • Put your washing up from downstairs in the dishwasher (empty if full)

  • Put shows/trainers away

  • Put bag away

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Mrs Neathey, who runs a cleaning business with her twin sister Natalie, said: "I tried to set up some basic ground rules after we did up the bedrooms but after a few days they were falling back into old habits.

"They'd hide dirty clothes or plates at the back of their wardrobe when I told them to tidy up. It's as if they forget I'm a cleaner. I know exactly where to find things.

"I know the boys are only on apprenticeships and don't earn that much so they'll notice when £5 has gone out their pocket.”

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A copy of Hayden's contract (Picture: SWNS)
A copy of Hayden's contract (Picture: SWNS)

Mrs Neathey and husband Gareth, a 41-year-old carpenter, completed a massive £4,000 refurb on their four-bed semi-detached home in Horsham recently.

All the bedrooms were redecorated and got new furniture, and she told the kids it was time to step up and clean up their act.

But she said that within a few days they fell into old habits, so she introduced the new rules at the start of the year.

Mrs Neathey added: "Part of growing up is learning to respect property and those you look after you. And I think the contract will help do that.”

Olivia's contract

  • No make-up in bedroom

  • No eating in bedroom

  • No juice or fizzy drink in bedroom - only water

  • Make bed everyday

  • All clothes must be hung up or put away

  • Put dirty washing in wash basket

  • Keep room tidy

  • Put your washing up from downstairs in the dishwasher (empty if full)

  • Put shoes/trainers away

  • Put bag away

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