Help to light a fire under my slow poke son

Pamela - posted on 10/03/2009

My son was like that too. We've made everything a race and it seems to help some!

Valerie - posted on 02/20/2009

Too funny. My 6 year old son fits right in with all your kids. When we are late it's because of him. I must say "hurry up", "let's go" or "focus" 4 times each a day. We have competitions and contests to see how fast he can do it. Can he get dressed and come downstairs before breakfast is done? Can he finish cleaning before the commercial break is over? Can he get in the car and get buckled before the dog is finished outside? We have to always give him warnings about things too. Like "in 3 minutes you will have to clean up". And count down from there. "We are leaving the house in 5 minutes you will have to put your shoes on". "Pancakes will be done in 2 minutes are you out of bed yet?" It's so hard to constantly come up with something that will get him to move and the funny things is he can move rather quickly when there is a chance he may lose.

Jodi - posted on 01/20/2009

LOL!  Well, I'm apparently about to throw a wrench in the theory that it's mostly boys, because my 6yo daughter is the same way!  Slow as molasses.  I'm constantly frustrated with her lack of a sense of urgency in a situation, especially when I've made it apparent we need to hurry (like when we had to run to catch a plane transfer one time.  She insisted on walking, pulling her suitcase along.  I about pulled my hair out!).  I've not yet found a thing to make her go faster.  Usually, I end up just starting her ealier on a task so that it gets done by the time I need it done (ie. going to bed, getting up and around in the morning).  Sometimes, I fear it's a losing battle!

Michael Keri - posted on 01/14/2009

I find this funny, my son is 6 has a twin sister and a 3yr old sister.What you are all talking about is my son also, I have come to the conclusion it has to be a boy thing!! A few of my friends with kids also find the boys to be this way , but the girls are not. I have not figured out a way to light that fire yet..not sure if I ever will. It is very frustrating when you are trying to go somewhere, never mind doing stuff at home.When someone knows how to get our boys moving you could just be a hero for life!! lol

Melissa - posted on 01/12/2009

He is a thinker. Always trying to figure out how things work or how he can build his next creation out of legos. He has ALWAYS been this way. He used to take forever to eat a meal. My husband and I would just be sitting there, finished, waiting for him to get done. We finally put some time limits to meals. He did improve and it's gotten a lot better as he's gotten older. I have now tried making a competition out of getting in the car and getting buckled. My biggest frustration. And it's working. Until he's on to me.

Barbara - posted on 01/12/2009

my six year old seems
To Be the same way!

Laura - posted on 01/12/2009

O Goodness. This is my 6 year old son in a nut shell. He pokes around at everything he does. It takes him at least 45 minutes to finish a small bowl of cereal i the morning. He has always been this pokey, and I believe he takes after my younger sister, she was the same exact way, until just recently when she got married. I can't believe how many times we have been late for school, or other activites, he is just so darn pokey. His school gets out at 3:20, and it takes him close to 30 minutes sometimes to get from his classroom to the parking lot where I am waiting. He likes to stop and chat with everyone one of the teachers at his school. Most of the time he is the last child out of the building.

I recently started using a chart that tracks what time everything in his mornign routine needs to start, and he is constantly checking to make sure he is on time, it is working so far. I have also tried making him his own shopping list when we go to the store, and he is so excited to try and find everything and get his own shopping done before me. With him, we just have to use a lot of lists, and schedules to keep his butt in gear. And yelling just seems to make him move slower, so I guess just patience and plenty of paper kind of works for us, although he still has his extreme pokey days, and I just stop sit back and comment on how much he is like his aunt. That just makes me giggle, and my stress level is down. Hope I either helped you, or gave you a good laugh.

Katey - posted on 01/10/2009

I'm laughing hysterically as you describe my older son (9). He is hands down the slowest child I've ever seen in my life. I've often wished for a cattle prod. A few of his teachers have said, "You must have sooo much patience." A friend of mine said, "My husband would shoot himself if he had to wait for him all day." Nice, eh? Is your son also a thinker? Does he come out with profound statements and thought-provoking questions after sitting in the car for 5 minutes while you're waiting for him to get out?

We have routines for my son for different parts of the day (getting ready for school, after school, and bedtime). His routines are listed in a logical order and placed in a page protector. As he completes the tasks on his list, he marks them off with a dry erase marker. He gets rewards for being ready for school and bed on time. This has not been a cure-all, but it's been somewhat of a help. We recently put my son on a stimulant to help him get through his school work (NOT for hyperactivity). It has helped tremendously with his speed and ability to complete a task. That's probably not the answer you were hoping for.