Hi. Just wondered if anyone had good suggestions on how to get my 7 1/2 year old more motivated to take (any) responsibility for getting ready for school in the mornings.

He is the youngest of 3, with the oldest being a sister who loves treating him like a baby - a role he happily plays.

I have come to the conclusion that I must be doing too much for him or just nagging him too much as he needs to be reminded about every single stage in the process of getting ready for school. My whole life seems to be one long 'Socks Henry; have you got your lunch Henry?; Have you washed your teeth Henry?

He is very good at responding Yes, when in fact he means 'no'. What concerns me are the big things that you can't put right later on in life, like teeth (too late when they are rotten!) and homework (he may well get into trouble for not doing it, but meantime he has missed out a chunk of learning).

I have tried just letting him get it wrong - today he went to school with no socks on, but it doesn't seem to make him work it out the next day. Help!!

Hello deejay, it could be because his big sister is treating like a baby and babies do of course need are help so try and talk to your daughter about just changing the way that she plays with her brother and think about getting her to do role plays with him even like what he should do when he has to go to school in the morning, give it a try. Hope u work it out, good luck.

Try making a chart of what he has to do in the mornings - if his reading isn't that good, draw or stick pictures.

This works for autistic children, by the way, who need help with organisational skills - not that I am saying your son is autistic! But it works for all kinds of kids!

Hi Deejay. You are definately not alone. I've still have to get my eight year old daughter ready for school in the morning simply because if I left her to her own devices I'd probably still be at home waiting for her to get ready. I know I'm not helping the situation and that she needs to start getting herself ready. I don't think she'd forget to do things she just seems to take forever! And sadly, time in the morning is just one thing we don't have.
I think she's a daydreamer!

I teach children of that age. Please be reassured that being disorganised is very common.
Small steps might be one way. First you might encourage him to clean his teeth every morning without you asking him. He gets a star on a chart for every day that he remembers to clean his teeth and when he gets 15 stars he gets a reward. He can also see his own progress as the stars build up and he won't want to jeopardise getting those 15 stars once he knows there' something in it for him.
Once he's got that try adding another thing for him to do (get his schoolbag ready for example) and do the 15 star thing again.
You might be able to build it up that way. The rewards don't have to be expensive toys either. It could be a day out or a pizza or being allowed to stay up to watch a cartoon DVD with the family on Friday.
Aside from rewards, children thrive on positive encouragement and praise when they do something right. A big hug from mum and a 'well done' for one small thing achieved can do wonders, rather than nagging them of the things they haven't done. He might want to do more of the right things.
Anyway, best of luck. All kids are different. I'm sure you'll find something that works for you.