Help me stop losing my temper with DS when it comes to getting dressed

[CristinadellaPizza]

He is perfectly capable of dressing himself (he's 4.5) but doesn't like doing it. So he will roll around on the sofa, suddenly develop a fascination with a piece of thread/a book/his fingernails, stare into space and the minutes tick by.

It's not just about going to school either, it's any time we're going out (unless we are doing something especially fun in which case he will be ready like lightning).

It takes him 20-30 mins on average, with me cajoling/reasoning/pleading/shouting the entire time. I have tried leaving him to it but then he just sits there.

Whatever tactic I use, it really, really winds me up. Today I got particularly frustrated and told him that if he didn't start dressing in the next five minutes there would be no telly at all today and he still just sat there, so I told him that he was driving me bonkers and that there wasn't going to be any telly and went upstairs to get dressed myself.

When I came down, he was wearing his pyjama top and his pants, clutching his school clothes and trying to open the front door, sobbing, saying he was going to go and live somewhere else :( :( :(

I felt terrible but it really does drive me to distraction and I don't want to have to end up dressing him which is what happens 9 times out of 10 because otherwise we'll be late for school.

Should I just dress him and assume that he'll get better at is as time goes by? I'm worried about him changing for PE which is why I've become so draconian about it of late but perhaps he'll be better at school? Help please! Mornings have become horrible and stressful

Well he'd forgotten about his 'no telly' punishment but accepted it with equanimity when I reminded him and is now playing in the garden. Let's see if I have to take him to school in his PJs tomorrow :o

I have ended up helping him to get dressed over the last few days because he got punched in the face at school and is very upset about it so doesn't want to go at all :(

OMG how awful . poor little thing. i hope that he's ok, and that he gets his confidence back soon.

That's awful! A 5 year old getting punched in the face. I'm shocked and I hope the school has implemented some serious sanctions to protect your son and punish the puncher.

Yes, it's not great is it? I spoke to his teacher this morning - not sure if they can find out who the other boy is - he's not in DS's class and he doesn't know his name :(

Teacher is going to talk to DS so I shall find out some more later. What is particularly horrible about it is that the other boy knocked over something that DS was building so DS got cross with him and then got punched in the face to add insult to injury (or injury to insult!). He isn't marked or anything but he was pretty upset about it

Oh poor loves (both of you) :(

We always did breakfast after getting dressed and there was no Television before breakfast. They only watched it if they were completely ready and there was time before we had to leave for school. We also had a sticker chart.

Did you get any joy from the teacher this afternoon? I'd be amazed if they don't know who hurt your son. Especially if they knocked his things over first. I wonder if they're trying a cover up to avoid dealing with a "situation".

I didn't unfortunately but thanks for asking. She was talking to another mum when DS came out and he ran across the playground after his mate so I had to chase after him. She did speak to DS but I got a very garbled account of what she said - he reckons she said not to play that game any more which seems unlikely.

I will have a word on Monday morning. I want to know that they've spoken to the other boy and are keeping an eye on him.