There are two parenting goals in the morning: get your child out the door AND build a loving, strong relationship. Sometimes these goals seem incompatible! However, when you have the right techniques, they can both be accomplished. You'll find everything you need to know in Raise Your Kids without Raising Your Voice. Practice the 80-20 Rule in the morning (keep your conversation pleasant 8 out of 10 sentences). This is essential for setting a happy, loving tone. Your warmth and love will encourage more cooperation and less balking. Follow the 2X-Rule - don't ask anything more than twice and the second time requires a warning (i.e. I ask you a minute ago to brush your teeth; if you aren't doing it by the time I come back upstairs, I'll have to brush them for you because we want to be on time). I urge you to read the book and/or listen to the downloads on this site - your "quality time" with a school age child is in the morning and homework-bedtime! You've got to master the strategies in order to gain your child's cooperation without losing that child's love!   Sarah Chana

My kids dawdled till they were teens. Instead of fighting with them, I just gave them extra help. Other people criticized me for babying them but I'll tell you this: we never fought in the morning. My kids are all grown up and we're all very close now.

I remember my mother screaming at me every morning and evening. It didn't make me any better, I'm sure. But it did make me hate her. I'd say let your kid be late every day if you have to, but don't be mad at her every morning. She's only 5 - she's got so many years ahead of her. Don't make it awful like my mom did.