I am Always Late

Parents very often have to deal with tardy kids. This problem is very common and even the brightest and the most successful children may be infected with the bacteria of chronic tardiness. As a rule, the problem reaches its peak in the mornings, when the child needs to get up early, have breakfast and make all necessary preparation for going to school. There are many effective techniques and tactics with can be used by parents to assist their kids in fighting against developing chronic tardiness. However, the best way to combat the problem is to unite the efforts with school teachers and administrators.

Most of the schools have very strict policies about the student who are chronic latecomers, making children learn to be responsible for their behavior. Some schools offer the system of rewards and incentives for being on time and never missing classes. Below, check out some tips on what can parents do to help their kind combat chronic procrastination and a tendency to being always late.

1. Do not tolerate your kid’s tardiness. Make your child understand that he’s got a problem which is now small but can turn into something very serious and possibly ruin his whole life. Develop a system of penalties like imposing new chores in addition to usual household responsibilities of your child, or cut your kid’s allowance for 50-80 cents for being tardy in the morning. Do not fall for lame or imaginative excuses: children are very good in creating those.

2. Take a close look at the problem. Is your kid having problems only because of being unable to get out of bed early in the morning? Does he tend to put off tasks and procrastinate? What causes this problem? Too busy or hectic schedules, or the child’s own mind? Maybe he hates school and tries to spend as less time there is possible? Or maybe he is just trying to grab your attention? Pinpoint the roots of your kid’s tardiness, and it’ll be easier for you to create the best strategy for overcoming the problem.

3. Make your kid revise his sleep routine. Be sure that your child sleeps as much as it necessary for the child of his age. Help him to develop a habit of waking up early and explain that those who get up early have less troubles with keeping track of the day. If your child needs to be at his class at eight, let him wake up 6:30 and he’ll have plenty of time for doing morning exercises, having a good breakfast and get himself ready for the day. Set the official time for going to bed as well.

4. Let your kid learn following schedules and setting up goals. Talk to your child and explain the advantages of scheduling and planning daily activities. Help him in creating his own schedule and do not forget to take into account your child’s pace of doing his daily tasks. Give good time frames for completing one of another task or assignment.

5. Create incentives to help your child following the schedules. Be aware about how your child managed with following his schedule and making efforts of being on time. Always praise him and reward your kid for being (or at least trying to be) punctual and develop his discipline muscle. You should use individual reward system to motivate every child for achieving better results.