how do you manage children who are slow to get things done?

[mamacoffee]

hi

ds is 3.6. a couple of examples from today:

we were getting ready for preschool and he was just being slow to do anything and we were already late. i kept telling him we were going to be late but its like even putting one foot in front of the other was taking aaaagges. he wouldn't change his clothes properly so in the end i had to do it for him. he wouldn't come down the stairs without pausing on each stair. he wasn't tired so that can't be it- and many days are like this. sometimes he can be quick so its not like he just cant do it.

when i picked him up it was pouring down with rain and when we got to the car i opened his door and told him to get in while i got 17mo dd into her seat, he just stood there admiring how the hailstones were getting in the car- which is precisely why i wanted him to get in quickly!!!

how can i get him to hurry along? without getting very frustrated!!

you can't, you just learn to expect & plan for it.

I find the line " bet you can't do by the time I do " a good motivator at that age! In fact it still works with my 10 year old sometimes!

Lijkk I was suspecting that might be the way forward. ...But I will also try what you suggested bluecarrot I think he would respond to that!

Thanks for your replies. Better set my alarm earlier for tomorrow. .

I also find the more frantic I get, the slower the dc get.

So just learn to accept that yes, today we do all need to look at every single snail on the way to school even though it is hailing/raining/snowing and we are now about 3 days late...

I have frequent races with DD 2.9. She is a right little cheat too.

If you have a smart phone, try the QuickKids app (it's free).