Is there any way to speed up a toddler?

0 votes

We have this issue from time to time. You'd like to leave the house, NOW would be good, but the more you hurry, the more your toddler/preschooler seems to dawdle.

We saw it in action this morning when we were walking down the sidewalk (having just managed to finally get ourselves out the door) and passed another family getting out of the house and into the car. Mom was saying "Quickly. Quickly. A little quicker please!" in sort of a fake happy voice as she shepherds her 4-year-old out the door, down the steps and towards the car. Meanwhile the 4-year-old really couldn't be moving any slower and has a slightly bemused smile on her face as she meets our gaze.

It's easier to think about when you're not in the moment, but I'm not sure I have any solutions for that mom, or for ourselves either. Thoughts?
andrea

both so cute, & so tiring!
mountain view, ca

Feb 23, 2010, edited Feb 23, 2010

2 Answers

  • 0 votes

    I would love to hear suggestions for this too. We have the same problem with our 3 1/2 yo.

    I've tried "racing" him (who can get their shoes on faster!). I've tried bribery (you'll get a candy once you get your shoes and jacket on and get in the car!). I've tried the easy way or hard way (easy way he does it all himself, hard way I carry him half dressed out into the cold).

    I've had limited success with my methods. I'm hoping it's just a phase.
    aknitter

    Menlo Park, CA

    Dec 28, 2009

  • 0 votes

    If you know you're going to be in a hurry, kids are often easiest to dress as soon as they get up (so when changing a diaper, put on all clothes, including shoes). Our 5-year old is slow but relatively easy-going, so we sit him down to eat and change his clothes for him while he is eating. (He'll take a bite and I'll take off his shirt and replace it. He'll take another bite and I'll have him stand so I can take off his pants and underwear and replace them with clean ones. I'll put on his shoes and socks while he's still eating.)

    When my husband and I are both home, we take out everything but the kids, then we take out the kids. Alone, everything goes in the stroller. We might carry one kid to the car and strap him in while the others are trailing along behind. But they catch up by the time one is strapped in. We will drag a temper-tantruming child along behind us.

    We set the buzzer so they know we need to go when it goes off. We give lots of warnings that we're about to leave. ("In 5 minutes....")

    Anonymous

    Jan 6, 2010



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