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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: April 21 2010 at 7:18am | IP Logged
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DS (6.5) has been really trying after breakfast lately. After we eat, they are supposed to clear off their spots and go get dressed, then we all brush teeth together.
He has been running around the house, aggravating his sisters (ugh, this needs a whole post of it's own), and not listening to me. He got grounded from watching a movie yesterday afternoon because he couldn't (wouldn't!) listen to me.
I'm tired of repeating, "Go get dressed!" over and over, all the while starting to lose my patience and raise my voice. Help?
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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Christine
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| Posted: April 21 2010 at 7:32am | IP Logged
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I would implement a morning story time, art time, or whatever would appeal to your son. Those children who are ready at a set time to have their teeth brushed get to participate; those who are not do not. My child who tended to not get ready in a timely manner, started doing so when he realized (after the first day or two) that he was missing out on some good stories. When he came to listen, I stated, "I am sorry, but you can't listen because you still need to get dressed and brush your teeth. Please go and do so."
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Christine
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: April 21 2010 at 7:50am | IP Logged
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I was having the same problem as you Lindsey, except with 2 boys which makes it extra "fun"! We did something similar to Christine, except for us it was breakfast. My kids are big eaters and telling them they had to be completely ready to start the day BEFORE they ate breakfast was a huge adjustment, but we sure are getting started earlier! It's not easy. There was all sorts of "wailing and gnashing of teeth", and arguments about things like "what if I spill breakfast on my clean clothes?" and "why brush my teeth when I am just going to eat breakfast?" (good argument actually!) over this new rule, but I stuck to my guns and after about a month (literally!) it finally became a routine.
Hang in there!
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
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JaysFamily
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| Posted: April 21 2010 at 8:36am | IP Logged
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Could you change up the order he does things? What if he got dressed first, went outside to run some laps to let out some energy, and then ate breakfast and started the day? My son does better when we start the day with either a short story, or with 20 minutes outside. Of course, that only happens about once a week.
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 21 2010 at 8:58am | IP Logged
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We get dressed and do all chores before anyone eats breakfast.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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happymama
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| Posted: April 21 2010 at 9:14am | IP Logged
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For a while my older boys each had a laminated card listing their 5 morning chores:
get dressed
put your pj's away
make bed
eat breakfast
brush teeth
Order didn't matter, but they handed me back the card when everything was completed, and if it was before 8:30, then they got a quarter to put in their piggy banks.
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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: April 22 2010 at 10:01am | IP Logged
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Thanks for all the responses! We informed the kids this morning that starting tomorrow they will have to be dressed before they can sit down to breakfast. I know it won't be an easy transition, but I am committed to sticking to it.
For those of you with this rule, is it the same for Sat/Sun?
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 22 2010 at 10:06am | IP Logged
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*Lindsey* wrote:
For those of you with this rule, is it the same for Sat/Sun? |
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Sunday...yes.
Saturday...not always. A bit looser around here...relaxing with dad, etc.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: April 22 2010 at 2:11pm | IP Logged
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We don't follow this rule on Saturdays or Sundays, but, at least for Sundays, we probaby should. It's very difficult getting everybody ready and out the door for Mass. Driving to Mass with this attitude:  is not a good thing!
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Trouble getting started in the morning
