How can I keep my 9year old focused in the morning to get ready for school?

Maranda - posted on 03/18/2010

Thanks but both my girls will take a shower in the morning I don't want them going to bed with a wet head and a morning shower helps them wake up and have a good start to the day. We have tried it at night and it just don't work for us. She was getting better but now with the time change we all need the extra help. Thanks for your input I do appreciate it.

Debbie - posted on 03/18/2010

I would have her take her shower the night before. That would eliminate the time that she needs for showering and drying off. I have difficulties though with my 8 year old and 12 year old. It's gotten better for the 12 year old though since he has started middle school and now leaves later in the morning. I've tried waking my 8 year old up earlier since it's so hectic when always being on their case to get done. The part that I end up arguing the most with her is breakfast. She takes FOREVER to eat. I could even just give her toast and it seems to take her 20 minutes just to eat it. TV isn't on, there's no other distractions either. ... Although I have found that if I give her an incentive or a possible punishment if she's not done by a certain time, she does miraculously hurry up. I've had to use the - If you're not done eating by 7:15am then you won't be able to play on the computer today ... or have tv today ... play outside today ... or such like that.

I don't have a time frame though for how much time she has for what. When I wake her up, I expect her to get dressed, make her bed, and come downstairs. Then she needs to eat breakfast. After breakfast I want her to go to the bathroom wash her face, brush her teeth and then brush her hair. She should be able to get all of that accomplished in 30 minutes. BUT I know that I hate to be rushed in the morning, so I try to give her a bit more time. I've even tried to reason with her that when I see that she has everything accomplished then that would just be time that she has to do whatever - play, watch cartoons, ....

I do completely understand the frustration though. (smile)

Annabelle - posted on 11/16/2009

I think (personal opinion) she has TOO much time. I get mine up at 6:30 and they walk out the door at 7:05. (They shower the night before) I usually have 2-3 kids here by then and my 3 kids know they have 35 min to dress, eat, and make sure their rooms are they way I expect. NO tv in the AM until everything is done! 99 times out of 100 there isn't a problem. My DD who always wants to feed the baby (daycare baby) her bottle in the morning speeds through everything so she has time for this. I think that giving to much time allows time for distractions if my boys are dragging I start taking time off their bedtime "obviously your to tired to stay up till 9 tonight that's 10 min early to bed" and the time goes up the longer it takes. NO kid wants to go to bed early!!