Setting the Timer

Have you ever heard yourself say “come on, come on, get busy, we have to hurry” Over and over and over? Then you find yourself losing your cool, getting frustrated, because your little one wants to “dilly-dally”. They are so easily distracted, and couldn’t care less about whether or not they get the job done.

An easy tip is setting a timer for your child. Even if he/she can not tell time it will still work. I can tell Emily “Mommy is going to set the timer for 15 minutes, and I want to see your room clean.” I then explain to her the reward for getting it done, and the consequence for not getting it done. This gives her some sense of control, and I do not feel that I am having to push her so much. Of course, because she is only 5 and can not tell time, I do give her a 5 minute warning. She is usually done before that. (However, if I did not set the timer she would be in her room for an hour without getting it done.)

The timer, like for adults, helps keep them on task. It reminds them of the job they have to get done, plus with the reward and consequence they are focused on their goal. This works for getting dressed and ready to go in the mornings as well. Our rule is if she gets dressed, her bed made, and her teeth brushed by the end of the timer, she will be able to watch t.v. until time to go, the consequence is that she simply does not get the reward! (I quickly found that letting her watch t.v. getting dressed was a mistake!)

Remember, we are training them to form good habits. Don’t put unattainable expectations on them. Give them plenty of time to do the job. And have each reward and consequence fit the task.