How to motivate my kids in the morning?

Question

I have a girl (8) and a boy (6) who are nearly impossible to get ready for school (and soon, camp) every morning. This morning, we were up almost 2 hrs before school, and we were actually late! I'm constantly having to remind remind remind to keep them on track. They are not disabled or emotionally handicapped in any way, they're just huge lollygaggers. I've tried pleading, yelling, rewarding, "guilting", nothing works. Any fresh ideas? I really believe that at this point, they don't have any respect for my authority (and yes, it carries over to other parts of our lives; but nothing dramatic), but I can't figure out why. I rarely punish as a consequence, but when I do threaten, I always follow through. They just don't seem to care. Am I alone here?

Answer 1

I solved this problem by introducing "speed points" ... a child who is ready before me gets a "speed point" ... 10 "speed points" = reward (i buy something, wrap it and put it above the fridge for them to see) ... now in the mornings we're always early and it takes them about 2 weeks to get the reward.  Before awarding a "speed point" I go through the checklist ... is your bag packed, teeth brushed, etc.

Answer 2

make a morning checklist of everythignt hey need to do from breakfast, getting dressed, getting thier bags ready, brushing teeth and more.  Have them check it off as they go so they know what needs to be done next.  I do this with my very slow and forgetful 7 y/o

Reward them with maybe a trip to the donut shop on the way for days they get everything done quick!

Answer 3

shoot them with a water gun.

Answer 4

Set one of those annoying alarms that gets louder the longer its going. Dont put it next to the bed make sure you put it where they have to get up to turn it off. Tell them that you are leaving at a specific time and if theyre not ready make them go in whatever they are wearing when its time to leave. Theyll be embarrassed the whole day at school or camp and theyll never do it again

Answer 5

Wet flannels if they arn't up in ten minutes :L

Make them get everything ready the night before- so all they have to do is get up, eat, brush their hair, get dressed and wash and they're ready, rather than looking for shoes and maths books and lunches and reading bags.

For camp I don't think it will be a problem as so many other children will be there, and they can influence your children to get sorted for the days activities. Its different in situations like that- they'll follow other childrens leads, and if breakfast is at 7.30 on the dot they won't want to miss it!

Answer 6

My dad, may he rest in peace, was a  military man and I remember he would wake us up in military style.  Set goals for the day and always say positive things for motivation.  He also almost always had the radio turned on to the news, weather and music. Ahh music, its a great motivator!

Answer 7

displin , let them know they will be doing a house work for two hrs after school every time they are late , no tv ... . it works trust me !

Answer 8

I would take away privileges if they don't get ready on time.  For example, tell them that they can't play after they come home from camp or make them do chores.  It will help them to see that  there are consequences to not following rules.  My advice is not to reward them.  If you bribe them with presents, then they will be taking advantage of you for the rest of your life.  They need to learn that certain things must be done, not for compensation, but because they are right.

Answer 9

use a points system, then bribe with an award

Answer 10

haha-been there! have them-n them only pick out 2 outfits the night b4-with ur approval thats what they can wear. get them there own tooth brush holder out on sink. ready to go--have them get their bowls n cereal ready on table for the morning. (my daughter gets a bath a 6pm after supper-7pm she gets her stuff ready to go-8pm she can watch tv n go to sleep-shes out fast----7am eat breakfast n watch her show its over at 730am--730am dressed-745 teeth/hair- 8 leave for school. if shes not ready-she goes as is--stinky breath n in pjs n no shoes-ya she cryed n got made fun of--she did that once--(i gave her teacher clothes n told him what was goin on) since then she does it right! no more stress in the am!!!

good luck!!

Answer 11

Don't stress it.  Let them experience the natural outcome of their behavior.

Tell them the night before that you will not be reminding them of anything in the morning.

When they lallygag, allow them to (1) miss camp and be bored all day, or (2) get dressed in the car, or (3) miss part of the fun of camp, whichever works best for you.

In two days, the problem will be solved.

Hang in there and good luck!  Stay calm!  :)

Answer 12

You have two take a two pronged approach.  You need both positive and negative consequences.  You can do them both simultaneously by playing a game.  Children love games.  

Make getting ready in the morning a race.  See who finishes first each day.  Have them make a game piece by drawing themselves.  Then create a game board with pockets or Velcro on it so that pieces can be moved.  They can help you make it! Whoever gets ready first can move one step forward.  Your game board should not be too long or they will lose sight of the goal.  Or you can do it so that whoever is farthest wins a prize for the week.  If they get to the goal they can receive an extra special prize.  Choose small prizes that they like, or that cost you nothing like time on the computer, bubble bath, etc.  It depends on what they like.  

Of course you will have to set ground rules first so they are not pushing each other or taking short cuts like not brushing their teeth.  

Finally, life will be easier for you and them if you have them pick out their clothes the day before.