This is doing my head in. Three days into the new term, and it's the same old story

[earlgrey]

I try to ease dds gently into the morning, by saying 'socks on, then two minutes'. By which time (so I thought) they'd be accustomised to the fact that they need to get their act together and get their uniform on.

For the last three days, having put dd1's socks on, she's said 'Mummy, you've washed them' and flung them off. Or, in the case of the uniform, 'Mummy, it's warm' (I only have one set of uniform for both of them and tumble dry it).

It's the anticipation of it, and the fact that it happens every blooming day. Her socks aren't too small, the uniform's not warm. What the eff can I do? Every morning (and that includes last term) is a complete turmoil. I never have that kind of stuff from dd2. Please help!

I do a "getting ready competition". I shout out "first person to get their socks on gets 1000 points". Sounds mad but it works. DDs are rushing around trying to get their socks on before the other one wins. Sneaky of me eh?

I do the getting ready competition sometimes too - but I enlist the help of my 10 year old and she fixes it so that it's either a draw or 5 year old wins. Absolutely no TV until they are absolutely ready to go - including teeth, loo, shoes, bags and music practice. Scared at the thought of leaving at 7.45, Soapbox - what time does school start in your neck of the woods?