I have a 2 1/2 year old who makes messes.
This morning the mess was spilled cheerios (see them behind him?).
That same toddler also refused to pick up said cheerios.
Rather than freak out, what do I do?
Give him a string with tape on one end and a cheerio tied to the other.
All of a sudden he has a fun game of making a necklace and
he's working on fine motor skills and inadvertently picking up the mess.
Everyone wins. :)