I'm having problems getting through to these kids (15yr old, 9yr old and 7yr old) on learning to do their homework and pick up after themselves. I've taken away electronics and toys and they still don't learn. They throw their stuff all over the place and leave it there for me to clean because they know I end up getting it before the baby (well, I suppose he's a toddler.. Almost 2yr old) can get hurt on it or destroy things in the house with it. So today their rooms were so bad I just shut the doors and told them when they got home from school to go clean their rooms, do their homework and as far as everything else is concerned, they're grounded to their rooms until after dinner. Hours go by and they haven't cleaned anything or done their homework. They asked when we were having dinner and I told them it's up to them if they eat because nobody's eating anything until they do what they were told even if it meant they didn't eat anything tonight and went to bed on empty stomachs. They put some hustle to getting the work done but, I could over hear the 15 yr old telling them that it's abuse to refuse them dinner and they should tell their teachers. Made my heart sink a little. I wouldn't refuse them food all night but, I'm worried they're going to have DCF knocking on the doors saying I starve them (which they are far from starved) but, at the same time, I don't want to give in to them trying to manipulate their way out of doing what they should. Is it abuse? Should I just give up and call it a loss? Does anyone have other suggestions for me to try?