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ADVICE RATING

5.00 (Highly recommend) from 13 votes (161 Visits)

Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

by jenlemen

(September 2007) (rank 17th)

My nine year old has been resisting any pokes or prodding on my part to make sure she gets out the door on time. Since she's basically a very responsible kid, I'm realizing the issue isn't so much that she doesn't want to be on time (she does!)--it's that she's

getting to an age where she doesn't want to take so much direction when she can be responsible herself.

Here are a few things that have been meeting both of our goals (me: everyone out of the house! her: freedom to meet the deadline in her own way!) during this transition time where some parental assistance in the morning is still required to make sure we don't miss the bus.

"Anyone who's ready for school, meet me on the front porch." This one lets my kids know it's time to go without any big hassle. My oldest is eager to be the first outside, and it takes all the stress out of me telling one again and again that it's time to go.
"Go ahead--I'm right behind you." There's nothing Madeleine would like more than to be trusted to walk to school herself--especially since our bus stop is less than one block down the street! By giving her permission to go on ahead (even if I'm five steps behind), I encourage her to not only be independent about getting out the door, but also send the message that I trust her a lot.
"I'm heading to the bus stop now--anyone who is going to school is free to join me." This approach eliminates the nagging and is a nice indirect way of letting Madeleine know that the time to head out is right NOW. While some kids might panic or scramble at this announcement, Madeleine takes it as an invitation to walk together--something she looks forward to each day.

How do you motivate recalcitrant tweens to get out the door on time? I'd love any extra suggestions in the comments below.

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.

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ADVICE RATING

5.00 (Highly recommend) from 13 votes

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| October 2007 \| Flicka

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

Excellent, I'll keep this in mind when DD reaches school age. She's a dawdler now, she moves quickly when she wants to but likes to stop and smell the roses - quite literally! Even when I'm in a major hurry to get somewhere.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| October 2007 \| Izzy

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

Great advice. I am about 99.9% sure my son will be the kind of kid who will move slower than mollases so this would come in handy.

Right now the only thing that gets him out the door in the morning is to have daddy ahead at all times -- sometimes waiting in the car even!

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| October 2007 \| KathrynR1402

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

Thanks for this good advice - I'll bear this in mind when we get to the tweens. But for now, my 5 year old's competitiveness works fairly well - she rarely resists "Race You!"

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| October 2007 \| Ngairi

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

I have set the main clock in the kitchen 10 minutes fast, so that they think they are gonna be late and go. It also works for me too, as I sometimes forget and make sure that I am gone if I need to be.

My middle one was a bugger for dawdling in the mornings, until I made him wear his PJ's to school. Took a uniform to change into when he got there but he had to walk in to the school in his jammies! Never did it again.

Leisa

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| September 2007 \| FremantleDocker

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

Excellent tips on how to get out the door. I'll take these on board.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| September 2007 \| nell18-3

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

great suggestion here Jen
I'm always stood at the front door, car keys in hand with one son in the car waiting the other (youngest) always going back to get something he Just remembered!!!!!
xxx

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| September 2007 \| ellamia

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

Great tips. It is hard getting out the door to go anywhere these days hehe.
Great article

Love Kelly

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	September 2007 \| Roz69

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

Hi!!

With 4 children going to school - at times it isn't easy - but hey - we eventually get there,too!!

We have a routine & schedule - we also stick this everyday - Mon to Fri!! a little more relaxed on weekends!!

I keep to what I say & do to which it works wonderfully!!

I have told our 4 when all ready for school wait in the laundry & this works fanastic,too!! Then they are waiting for me instead of me waiting for them!!

They all know that we leave home at a certain time,too!!

It is nice to know that there is other MUMS have a worked out plan for during the school week as well!!

Cheers,Roz.

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	September 2007 \| cazza

Re: Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

great ideas there and have to try the first one as that was good.... For me we have a routine, its breakfast, dressed, watch a little tv, brush hair and teeth,, and out the door at 8.20... Now if they aint ready i go to the car sometimes and start it, as when i scream at them to hurry, they seem to take longer....

take care
love cazza

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Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.

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Tips for Getting Out the Door in a Hurry with School-Aged Kids

Related keywords: eager, empower, encourage, guidance, morning, nagging, on, punctual, routine, schedule, school, scramble, suggestions, time, trust