These days, with both parents working in most families, mornings can be a difficult time as everyone tries to rush out the door. The result can be that each family member ends up unhappy and stressed -- as if you've already put in a day's work. But the bottom line is, you have to get to work, and your child has to get to school or childcare.

Consider the following reasons why small children dawdle in the morning:

• Your child may not want to leave the comfort and safety of home for the outside world.



• Your child may find it hard to move as fast as you want her to, because that speed doesn't match her natural rhythms.



• Your child may still be tired and sleepy in the morning, so if you push him to hurry, he becomes stressed. If your child is tired almost every morning, he may need to go to bed earlier in order to get more sleep.



• Your child may be worried that you think your work is more important than she is.

If your child seems tired, reassure him, but explain that he still has to get ready. And as frustrated as you might become, never yell at or physically hurt your child. Lastly, when you drop your child off, let him know that you're not angry with him and make it clear that you are coming back.

Related Content
Answers for Parents
	Babies: Bathing my baby
	Bedwetting: Causes
	Bedwetting: Helping my child stop
	Bedwetting: Making it easier on me and my child
	Mealtime: Making it more pleasant and nutritious
	Mealtime: Tips for encouraging healthy eating
	Mealtime: What can I do with my picky eater?
	Mealtime: Why is my child a picky eater?
	Mornings: Making them more pleasant
	Nightmares: Causes
	Nightmares: Extreme nightmares, or 'night terrors'
	Nightmares: Prevention
	Nightmares: What to do when my child has a nightmare
	Sleeping: Helping my child sleep through the night
	Sleeping: Moving my child to her own bed
	Sleeping: Why is my child refusing to sleep?
	Toilet Training: Away from home
	Toilet Training: Is my child ready?
	Toilet Training: Making it easier for everyone
Life with "The Zap Family"
	Baby Zap's First Word
	Junior Zap Dresses Himself
	Toddler Zap Gets Wound Up Before Bed
	Toddler Zap Goes Shopping With Dad

Books for Children

Once Upon a Potty

Books for Parents

	Baby Play: 100 Fun-Filled Activities to Maximize Your Baby's Potential
	Baby's Best Chance: Parents' Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care
	The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
	What to Expect in the Toddler Years