Allee (5 and a half) has suddenly hit the lolly-gagging, dwaddly stage. Everything is taking 3-4 times as long as it should...

She asked for a breakfast bar for breakfast, and 10 minutes later, only 1/2 of it is gone. I ask her to get her pink crocs on, and she must ask *which* ones (she only has 1 pair of pink crocs). I ask her to hop out of the car, and she must tour *every* seat before doing so. Its like this with everything every day.

I have been trying to attempt remind her of what she needs to do, or counting down ("You have 3 minutes left" or the typical "10,9,8"). She doesn't get the idea of the timer counting down either. She hasn't responded to losing toys because of the dwaddling.

Hints? Ideas? I think I have sprouted about 8 new grey hairs during this phase as its drving me CRAZY!

I remember those days....my Valorie got like that, made me crazy for sure [whatwacko] I remember just starting everything early with her. She'd ask why am I the only one awake? Umm...because your moving a little slower these days.
It'll past...even if it feels like forever it will [crossheld]

You may want to try a bit of reality discipline with her. As everything has a consequence whether good or bad let her have a taste of what will happen if she dwaddles. For instance set a timer for breakfast. Give her so much time and then that is that. Too bad if she is still hungry. When it comes to finding shoes or getting to school on time let her feel the consequence of what happens when you are late. I'm sure there is one. If there is something that she wants to do but still dwaddles then she might find herself missing out. I know it sounds bad, especially letting her be late for school and getting in trouble for it but it really isn't. It teaches kids to be responsible for their actions.

I agree with Sarah. But I also remember during that phase, that I would often remind myself to stop and smell the roses with him so to speak. He would notice things I walked right by, he would enjoy things that I missed. If he was just being slow for the sake of being slow, then yeah there were consequences (Sarah's ideas are good ones for that. I would also do the counting down thing but there have to be consequences attached to that. Like "start getting on your shoes in 5 seconds or you're going to get a spanking" or whatever discipline you use (not time outs since that would just give them more time! lol). But remember it's not always a bad thing. Sometimes we do need to slow down and enjoy life with them.

for my son who is 6 we made a chart and it lists in order the things that need to be completed in the morning. When they are done, he puts a sticker on it and then moves on to the next item. if all are done then he earns something. right now he is earning smiles ( cut out happy faces) when he gets 5 he can trade it in for a special treat.