As parents we often tend to over do for our children. We fix their plates, we pick out their clothes, we cut up the meats, we pick out the socks.
Which are all good and helpful things to do for toddlers. It only becomes a problem when we allow it to be carried over into the older years.

It is not a question of can they do it. It is more of a Why they choose not to do it for them selves.

My daughter often gives me grief in the morning to find her socks or a shirt. It could be laying right beside her but yet she has to have me come find it for her.

To get her used to being independent and getting her own clothes ready for school. We made it part of our night time routine. She takes her bath and or shower then she gets out and while she is getting dressed for bed. We ask her to choose her own out fit to wear in the morning for school.

She has done so well she usually asks us to check the weather for her so she will know what to pick out. We are very proud of her in this effort. However we still have a lot to improve on in the morning routine. She still manages to move so slowly that she misses her bus.

I do not like raising my voice as a way of motivation to get her going. So I try just about everything else.

Today I called over to her friends house. I talked to the girls mom. She was almost in tears. Her daughter is 9 and will not pick out her own clothes.
She wants mom to get her dressed. While at the same time mom has another child to get dressed also.

I tried to give her soothing words of encouragement and to let her know she is not alone. So that put me in a mind set to find a way to cure the issue.

I was getting my own self up and dressed and making my own cereal or toast by the age of six. My daughter is almost 8 and she still wakes me up to fix her toast or cereal on the weekends.

I put all the items she needs down where she can reach them easily. I made sure it was safe and she could lift the milk. So I thought wow this is one problem fixed.

Not on your life was the issue even close to being fixed. She would ask for a different cereal or a different bowl. It didn't have anything to do with her ability to fix it for her self. It had everything to do with the fact she was not going to fix it and she wanted me to be up with her.

Just like getting dressed. I had to pay attention to her. The time we spent together getting dressed and saying morning prayers before school was special time. One part of the day that she had me all to herself.

We have worked out a routine now. Her clothes are all set for her and she puts them on and then she puts on her socks and shoes, then it is off to brush her hair. Then it is time for our morning prayers. I help her with her coat and back pack and send her with a kiss out the door.

As she is more secure in the routine she seems to be moving quicker. I'm still working on the morning breakfast routine. I allow her to fix toast or cereal to tide her over until i can fix something warm and nutritious for the family.

Last weekend I knew she would request different cereal so i put three choices down for her and two different types of her favorite bowls. She was in shock when she couldn't find anything to complain about. (giggle)

For all those moms out there trying to "Get their kids dressed" feel free to leave some more input in our comments. I'm sure there is some mom out there begging for help. There has to be more creative ways to teach our little ones than harsh words.