Strategies

I have a 2 1/2 year old little girl that I have to get ready along with myself in the morning. I do the same thing you do. Get myself ready and then get her ready. There are few odds and ends that I do before we walk out the door for myself. I usually give her a class of milk with some cereal to snack on and let her watch some cartoons until I am completely ready to go. I have done this since August (which is when she started preschool) and it has worked wonders. I may also have her get her things ready to go (ie - getting her jacket on, and making sure she doesn't have to go potty before we leave). Hope that helps.

I have two almost two year olds (twins). I wake up 30 mins before they do and get ready each day!

girl i know two isn't that many, but i have only one, so i can not imagine having to deal with two little ones. would it be so bad to put a tv show on for your three year old, ten or fifteen minutes while you get ready? we don't really watch a lot of tv at our house, especially my son (he's two), but when i'm making dinner or getting dressed, and daddy's not here, it really helps. also maybe put her in her highchair with a book or something to keep her occupied, if she'll sit still for it. another thing i do is take my son with me. he has a million questions (mostly, mommy what's that? and mommy whatcha doing?) it keeps him interested and we can talk while i get ready. even if it's just telling him twenty times that it's make up, or i'm brushing my hair...whatever! good luck!

I use the movies too but I try to plug in the movies that are somewhat educational while still being entertaining. My favorites are the Little Einsteins and Veggietales. They are short and the little one will get into them too. We check out movies from the library so that they get some variety and aren't just watching the same thing all the time. I also put the 3 year old to work helping her sister or me collect things that need to come with us like shoes or books or toys. She likes being in charge of the diaper bag.

What about getting a small bucket of toys for just this time of the day--put in a few books, coloring pages, stringing beads, sticker, puzzles, whatever she likes. That way, you can set her at the table (or by the door) with the activities to occupy her. The trick is to save this bucket for just this time a day so that they are special toys.
You could also try giving her a chore to do, but make it fun. I have 3 kids and we have "races" each morning. While I dry my hair, my kids see if they can finish a chore before I get ready-some examples I used at 3 year old would be: pick up their books or blocks, wipe the cabinets with baby wipes, put the silverware from the dishwasher into the drawer, use the swiffer on the wooden floor. They loved it and I was able to get 2 things done at once:)) Good luck!