My son is 9 and my daughter is 7. I still have to tell them to get washed up every morning. And when I do I have to tell them to go back because they forgot or chose not to do one of the things included in getting washed up, either they didnt wash their face, brush their hair or didnt do a good job brushing their teeth. Any ideas on what I can do to stop repeating myself?
LOL! I still have to tell my 13 yr. old to wash his face, brush his teeth and hair EVERY MORNING!!!! I just wonder when he will start to care - maybe when he becomes interested in a girl :)
Make a list witha check off system. Laminate it. They have to check each thing off to be finished. Wipe it away--start over.
I've got a soon-to-be 8 yo son and I still basically walk him through the steps. Hopefully I will not be reminding him to brush his teeth before he leaves for the prom. :)
What about a picture chart?
I still have to remind my 7 year old to put on clean underwear each morning and remind my 10 year old to brush the back of his hair (for some reason he only brushes the sides and front). There is a list of things I always seem to have to remind them about.
I wish I had any ideas for you but I'm right there with you.
I'm guessing it's pretty normal, however frustrating it is LOL
Use a dry erase marker and write it on the mirror for a quick reminder.
My 8 year old son has to be told every day too. I say to him what would you do if I wasn't around to tell you to wash up, brush teeth etc? His answer "living and loving the slovenly life!!" I hate smart kids :)
I have had this problem recently with my daughter. I have started telling her for every time she has to go back and redo what I have asked her to do she will lose 15 min of play time on the dsi that she got for christmas.(the new has not wore off yet) That has really seemed to motivate her into doing a better job brushing her teeth. So far so good for us, wish you luck mornings are stressful enough without having to chase the kids around to get ready. :)
Each week, put a chart for each of them in the bathroom that they have to check off as they do each task (and be specific)- have a sticker available for each of them that they have to request from you when they've checked off all the tasks so that you know they are done. If they are not brushing teeth long enough, get each of them a small sand timer (e.g., chart would say, "brush teeth all over until timer sand runs out"). Figure out a special treat for each of them based on their interests if they earn a sticker for each day of the week (nothing huge - depends on what your kids like - some special food, a pack of silly bands, a hot wheels car). You won't have to do this forever - it's about getting the behavior established so that it becomes habit - then you can loosen up on the structure!
Oh man, I was hoping it would stop by then! My son is 8 and my daughter is 6. If I don't literally stand in the bathroom with them as they brush their teeth, then they goof off!!!
OMG, I was just thinking about this earlier this morning. I thought it was only my soon to be 9 year old.
It's to the point where I don't even ask her if she put on deoderant because she will lie to keep from getting in trouble. (As if the truth won't be known later!!! LOL) But now I just say, where's your deoderant or go put on deoderant and watch her go back and put it on AFTER she's already completely dressed! I have to remind her not to take her clothes into the bathroom to get dressed thinking if she only has her bathrobe, she can't get dressed w/o putting on deoderant first. After all, it's sitting next to the tooth paste and mouth wash. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. And how does she get all cleaned up and walk out of the bathroom with a dirty little face is still questionable!!! Uggg..
Not sure if I've helped but at least you know you're not alone.
