it has always been an issue, but it really gets to me at the moment. we ask and ask and ask until I have to shout and get very angry before they get dressed and ready to go out.

It isn't just school days either, even getting ready for footy or to see relatives is slow and stressful.

arrrrrgg!  

anyway.. I hope to find some ways to make mornings easier by sorting out a routine over the weeks holiday. (often they wouldn't be dressed etc before lunch time if we are not going anywhere).

anyone else struggle with this or have any tips?
Sally

Me I turn the tables lol

I plan something they really want to do then just DON'T get ready, take ages to do anything etc.  then by the time your ready you just say oh is that the time - not worth going now!!!!

and don't forget to keep reminding them all that you have to ask them hundreds of times to get raedy normally

Matthew got really bad at this so I told him we were going out to the local ball play area thing.  Of course he was up and ready by 7am so I dragged my feet, didn't get hubby up until 10am etc and it was 11.30am by the time I was ready - so I just sat down and told him the play session finished at 12 so it wasn't worth going now and wasn't it annoying when people wouldn't get dressed when asked - he had a tantrum but I haven't had so many problems since!!!

That said I still have to nag senseless to get him completely dressed for school - he can start at 6am and still not be ready at 8.20am for pick up.... He'd happily go out with no shoes or coat even in the snow    I am lucky as he is picked up every morning at 8.25am by one of the teaching assistants, otherwise he'd never get there on time, sespecially now with baby to get ready too.

Of course we go out at the moment and hubby doesn't mention my hair is standing on end as I forgot to brush it    just what you need really!!

Matthew only has packed lunch with spoons etc in now because hubby does it before work - I was doing it as he was going out the door....

Oh and as I'm usually up between 4 and 5 it isn't lack of time....

Dani

Only just spotted this one Sally but - it sounds EXACTLY like our house in the mornings!! Me getting stressed and hot under the collar as time gets later and later, the boys dawdling and playing with their toys and just ignoring me asking them to clean teeth/put shoes on etc - over and over again! Luke is particularly slow, he is often ready about ten minutes later than Samuel - mainly because he takes so long to get dressed. He seems to put on one garment, then sit and daydream for a minute or two before starting on the next item. There have been days he has eaten half his breakfast before being bundled into the car with his tie, jumper, blazer still to put on - then I just have to get him sorted out in the school carpark! Don't know what the solution is, however early I wake them up they just seem to fill all the available time until we absolutely HAVE to leave. Many times we have arrived at the playground just as the class lines are disappearing into the building - I'm amazed we haven't had to sign in late more often but we do cut it fine! I just try to stay calm (not easy) and do a few odd jobs around the house while I'm waiting for them - to stop me going off my head! - and remind myself that the world won't stop turning if we are late from time to time!! Not sure if that is any help - at least you know that you are certainly not the only Mum with this problem!

Best wishes

Rachel.