Tidying up after kids is exhausting and I consider myself domestically impaired in the cleaning department.  Getting them to participate in the process is challenging but it can be done.  My 7 year old whines about the overwhelming task of cleaning his room and it does get trashed.  His biggest issue?  He doesn't know where to start.  Give them one task that will make the biggest impact and make them feel successful.  If there are clothes everywhere, just pick up all the clothes and put them in the hamper.  One task completed, then go onto the next one thing....pick up all your legos and put them in the box.  Providing them with a place to put it away or keep it organized helps alot too. Break it down into more manageable bits and they will feel like they achieved something - it works for grownups too.  Making it into a game works too, we play beat-the-clock.  How much can you get off the floor in 15 minutes?  It gives them a finite time so they don't think they have to do it all day and they're motivated to work pretty fast. It works especially well if you have siblings racing the clock & each other.  What works for other people?