How do you deal with dawdling?

[McDreamy]

My DD is 4 and I'm all for walking at the child's speed but goodness me she is so slow. I hate nagging her but my 18 month old DS can walk faster than she can (but not always in the right direction). What do you do? TIA

Depends on how much time we have. Do generally allow him to go at his own pace even if we do inspect every manhole cover, tree grille, piece of railing on the way - but if we have a certain time to get anywhere I plonk him in the pushie.

Games,

Little races to the next lamp post or tree. Or we play "tap bottom". For example I walk on ahead and my son has to tap like when you play "It" Or counting the houses along a road

I end up sounding like a sargeant major and hate myself!

I have exactly the same problem with my 5 yr old DS. I'm sick and tired of the sound of my nagging by the time we get to school. I just leave extra early now.

Allow more time !

Don't fight it - it's just tooooo stressful !

another game I play with my son is that I pretend to be a crocodile that eat dawdlers.

Or we say "run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man."

Admitally its hard work having a five year old running, but at least we get to school on time.

I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one. I feel so awful when I feel like I've spent the whole journey nagging her. The games idea sounds like a really good one. I will try that. Thanks

We play Thomas the tank engine (he's thomas, I'm henry) and I go onto his track if he's getting too slow etc. Adapt to something that suits girls, maybe! I also race him to hug the nearest tree, which somehow he really likes. DP said gross, coz dogs wee on trees, but I don't care if we get places on time...

Thanks for all your tips. DOn't know why I didn't think of them as I think it will improve our current situation - well it can't get much worse. Will let you know