I'm doing my effing best ...

[earlgrey]

... would you expect a dd that's just turned 8, and one that's about to be 7, to be able to dress themselves in the morning?

I lay everything out for them. Shall I just threaten to turn the telly off untill they do it?

I don't mind doing their hair, 'cos they can't do it properly.

FGS. Sorry. Rant over.

Anyone not dressed when we have to leave for school goes as they are.

DSs are 5 and 7 and dress themselves. I sort the uniform out ready just to make life easier.

No tv here either until after they are all dressed.

The only problem I seem to have, is that after the dd's have eaten their brekfats they are sent upstairs to have a wash, brush teeth and get dressed and it takes AGES, they seem to do anything other than what I have said, and then when they do come down the bathromm generlly looks like a bomb has hit it.

Just hide the remote control. Explain to them this evening, that the TV doesn't go on until they're ready for school, so that you manage expectations - if they have already been told the evening before, and you don't spring it on them, they're less likely to throw tantrums when it happens. And also tell them why. Kids are usually quite good at co-operating if they're given a reasonable explanation.

Just say to them that there is no tv untill they are ready and the quicker they are ready the sooner the tv goes on. They'll soon get the hang of it. I think you should be honest, tell them it needs to be this way so you're not late for school.
Be prepared for complaints/crying as they get used to it. It will work in the end. Quite quickly I think once they see that they DO get the tv as a reward when they are all ready.

We have no TV upstairs and DD doesnt go downstair until washed and dressed on a weekday!

Hair is done while she sits watching telly as it's the only way to keep her still!

Weekends are different as there is no rush.

Any improvement today EG ?