Getting ready on a morning - we are getting SO bloody BORED with the fuss!!

[MagicGenie]

DS1, aged 2.9, makes such a fuss over getting his teeth cleaned, having a wash and getting his clothes on, it is getting really frustrating and, frankly, tedious. It's doing our heads in!

First nappy change of the day also takes major negotiation. He always has to have his "5 minutes" - he NEVER, EVER just comes straight away, despite usually having a massive poo clagged all over him. (I could expand on toilet training... but that's another thread!)

One of us is there with him getting him washed/brushed/combed, on the receiving end of protestation and loads of whingeing. We always give him the option of bringing a toy into the bathroom and try and 'involve' him what we're doing (i.e. letting him turn the taps on, have a go at brushing his own teeth/hair etc) but whatever we do, it's to no avail.

It?s obvious that he doesn't want to be interrupted (too busy playing!) but I would love to get to a point where,

a) he understands that the whole thing literally takes 2 minutes and all the whingeing prolongs the agony! And,

b) we're trying to make it fun and not too serious. How can we get him ready with his involvement, rather than in spite of him?

Now he's started pre-school, there?s a pressure to get out the door on time now.

Any experience/ideas? TIA x.

No idea I'm afraid but have similar difficulties with my DS who is 2.3 so will watch this thread with interest as I'm sure someone with loads of experience/ideas will be along shortly.

Get him dressed and washed as soon as he is out of his bed and before anything else happens. it is the only way i avoid banshee behaviour in the mornings with my 2.

Just grimly determined good humour and the lure of 5 mins of Milkshake TV downstairs if he gets dressed superfast, before he's bundled out the front door, is usually what does it in our house.

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My DS is starting reception in January and he still does it. I think I ended up making it a bone of contention and he knows it will make me frantic.

He'll work it out eventually (I tell myself)

I suggest you ignore the behaviour, just walk away, do something else or you'll end up like me.

Sorry I can't be more positive for you

Thanks for these. We've tried getting him ready before brekkie but end up having to change him as his breakfast gets everywhere! Unless we just invest in some of those long-sleeved bibs....do they work?

They do indeed.

Or for dd1 a painting smock does the business nicely. A smock might be better as the bibs aren't all ht ebig for a nearly 3.