My 4 year old, on school days takes absolutley ages (about an hour) from the time of being woken up, to get herself washed and dressed for school. This isn't because she stays in bed, or doesn't want to go to school, she just wants to play, dress as a fairy etc. We used to constantly nag her, but this just started the day with arguments, and tension. So now we just leave her to it, and carry on without her. Then, when its breakfast time, we tell her we are about to start, and this normally is the kick she needs, and is done in 5 mins! It drives me mad, anyone out there with any strategies that may help move things along a bit more quickly?
2007-11-28 02:18:27 · 25 answers · asked by tipping the velvet 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
I appreciate that she is four, and have maybe been expecting too much for her not to be distracted. But I do not believe that expecting a child who has been able to wash and dress herself for ages, to carry on doing it. Encouraging this type of independence is not "lazy" as one member thinks. We have already tried stickers, we dont nag anymore, and the timer thing lost its appeal a long time ago, when we used it for tidying toys! I think most of you are right, that I should not worry so much if she gets down in time for breakfast. I'll go and take a chill pill!!!
2007-11-29 00:05:13 · update #1
Leave her alone she is a normal 4 year old in her own world. If the breakfast call gets her dressed that is great relax and enjoy your little girl
2007-11-28 02:22:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
We used to have a competition about it to speed my daughter up (who is still a daydreamer and would take ages given half the chance). We said "Right, let's see how quickly you can......". Then when we had counted, we would see if she could beat her time. This really spurred her on, so it may be worth a try. Try to make it into a bit of a game.
That said, it's only been in the last year that my daughter has done everything herself (she's 8); before that, I did it with her - your girl is very little at 4 to be left to get on with it herself.
2007-11-28 22:38:15 · answer #2 · answered by spanner the stig 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My four year old daughter is great at getting dressed and ready in the morning, as i have got her into a routine! Threaten your four year and say if you dont get dressed quickly, then you will not get any breakfast! Or tell them that they can watch some tv after they have got dressed and washed that should work. Tell her the once and leave her to do it!
Good Luck x
2007-11-28 22:37:58 · answer #3 · answered by Rosebud <3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'd not hardship about it. I used to artwork for a daycare and and a 4 three hundred and sixty 5 days previous I worked with loved playing gown up, and doing classic female issues. he's now fantastically a lot 7, and does what universal 7 three hundred and sixty 5 days previous boys do consisting of playing vehicles, activities, and different dumb stuff seven three hundred and sixty 5 days previous boys do. it truly is only a level and he will out advance in time. basically be affected individual. also, do not take heed to the poster above me. This boy got here from a common kin (mom and pa married). to boot, youthful little ones from gay houses oftentimes do not have a mission with gender indenity subject matters as they grow old.
2016-10-25 03:57:05 · answer #4 · answered by jepsen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't let my children do anything in the morning until there dressed teeth done and had breakfast then they can colour play or watch tv but they know the rules. at 4 a sticker chart would be a good encouragement 1 for each thing you want done but you'll have to put a time limit on the tasks .
2007-11-28 07:12:37 · answer #5 · answered by dolly doo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My 5 year old is a morning dawdler too! There are 2 things that work for us:
1. Give her one task at a time.
2. Tell her that if she gets all dressed and ready quickly, she will have time to play before school.
2007-11-28 05:57:46 · answer #6 · answered by daa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
call breakfast a little earlier each day. she doesn't probably have a good grasp on time, so she doesn't know if she's taking ten minutes or an hour. playing is more fun. just keep shortening the time you leave her to play. i make my kids get up and get dressed, get their coats on and everything , and if there's time when we're done then they can play a little with their stuff on. so they don't putz around in the morning. maybe move up breakfast to the middle of your get ready time, so she gets up, you say breakfast is in five minutes, she gets ready, comes and eats and you finish getting ready while she plays a little. it might mean getting breakfast ready in your bath robe, but it will also mean she'll learn to get ready, BEFORE playing.
2007-11-28 02:31:28 · answer #7 · answered by nrmatth 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get her up later so she doesn't have time to play and only has time to get ready. Or tell her that she can only play once she is ready for school and her little butt will speed up. You could also give her baths or have her bathe at night before bed so that in the morning she has less to do, also have her pick out her clothes the night before so there is no decision making left to do in the morning. Good Luck
2007-11-28 02:38:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a single father of a 5-year old boy.
From your standard my Son is way worse. However, I would turn it around and tell you that your child is actually AHEAD of the curve!
I have to help my son get ready in the morning still, but I just consider it a work of pleasure. If I did not help him, we would be late for school and work.
Perhaps you can put a more realistic twist on your thoughts, and realize that your child is stil only 4!? Cherish these times, as they pass all too quick, and you will never get them back.
Good luck!
2007-11-28 02:27:41 · answer #9 · answered by Scott D 4 · 7⤊ 0⤋
At 4 years old I wouldn't worry about it. Now when they do this at the age of 7 or 8 that's a different story. If she's still doing it at that age, take her to school in her pajamas if she refuses to get ready. It worked for my friend. Of course, she had a change of regular clothes in the trunk that he didn't know about. She never had a problem with him dragging his feet again. Oh, and he cried all the way to school because he thought he would have to sit in class all day in his pajamas.
2007-11-28 02:29:19 · answer #10 · answered by omegajasmine 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My 2 are six & three and it's the same thing getting them ready for playschool & school but all i do is play a game with them, it's easier for me because i do a race between the two of them, however, it can be done with just one child!
either, race her with yourself! with my two i just say the first one to get dressed is the winner and that's enough for them to race (and no, they don't get upset if they loose, it's all part of learning and they are pretty equil on times) for your child if "the winner" isn't a big enough reward then you could say "the first on to get dressed gets to make breakfast" (let her pour the milk or butter her toast!) then "lets see who can brush their teeth first" etc. etc.
my children never tire of the game, they actually look forward to it and it's a fun way of getting things done, a little light-hearted game in the morning with some laughs!!!
if that fails, assuming you DO help her get dressed then you can use a sticker chart, say to her "if you can get dressed, teeth brushed and hair done before the timer goes off, you get a sticker" set the oven timer for 3 mins and help her get dressed, then let her choose her own sticker!
Nagging, in my experience, never works, games and lots of fun is always a winner! with 2 kids to get dressed for school/playschool, a 12-month-old daughter to get fed and dressed and being heavily pregnant with baby #4 i couldn't do without the getting dressed games!
good luck x
2007-11-28 03:17:44 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋