3yo struggling to wake in the morning

[TBC45678]

I know this is a nice problem to have, but my 3 year old loves a lie in and it's a real struggle getting him up in time for nursery/work in the mornings at the moment. He's so pissed off/upset when we have to wake him up at 7.15, he'll often cry and whine until drop off an hour later... Any tips? I hate having to wake him up, but I leave for work very early and my husband has to get to work by 9ish, so 8.15 is latest he can do drop off really. The only thing which calms him down/entices him out of bed is watching some telly but then of course it's a battle turning it off to get going.

He goes to bed at 7/7.30, depending on if he's napped or not and sleeps well. On the weekends or non work days if we don't wake him he usually wakes himself by 8ish and is in a good mood. I worry a little that it's not normal for him to struggle with an early morning so much... He's a very picky eater with some growth concerns (under review by the GP) so I'm worried it's an energy thing? Though his bloods recently showed he was healthy.

Anyone else had this problem?

Wouldn't hurt to give a children's vitamin and water when he wakes up to quickly hydrate/ energise.

I’ll be flamed for this but could you give him a little cold orange juice when he wakes? A little sugar burst might help him to wake up, plus it’s calories. DD is 3 she doesn’t nap much any more but when she does it takes her AGES to wake up then she’s in a vile mood for about an hour. Sometimes I give her a carton of orange or apple juice the sugar seems to bring her round and give her a little energy kick - bit like a cup of coffee for us I guess

Thank you both so much, these are really good ideas which I hadn't thought of! A little energy burst is exactly what he needs.