Can we discuss mornings? | ADHD Information

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We had the same problem last year and then I bought the spin brushes for each daughter and now it goes so smoothly in the routine. I also started brushing my teeth at the same time they did, and the enjoy the togetherness of that morning and bedtime ritual. Sometimes when we go to the dentist I ask for those red tablets that kids chew up and it shows where they haven't brushed and I use those as an incentive if they've done good all week. Good luck to you!Can you wake him up and give him his meds earlier and then let him get
more sleep? We use short acting ritalin in the morning and then give ds
Concerta before we leave for school. He just turned 10 and I still help with
teeth brushing. He does it himself, but I don't know how well he brushes.
We had his teeth sealed in the back to help prevent cavities. Mornings are a
struggle still. DS is not a nice morning person before his meds kick in.

Thanks for all the replies. DS uses the patch, which is very slow to kick in. It usually takes about 2 1/2 hours. Dr. does not want to add a short-acting pill in the AM because of his weight....he'd fallen off the weight chart and I had to get his weight up and we still have to keep an eye on his weight or the Dr. will stop prescribing meds.

I like the spin brush idea - DS loves "new things"....it might be enough of a novelty to get him to brush.

Although I wish none of us had to struggle with our kids in the morning, at least I know I'm not the only one.

well, both our kids have morning problems and one doesnt have adhd.  Here is what I do and both are ready in a matter of minutes!!!!

I lay out their clothes for the am and I go wake them up in the morning by stripping their pajamas off....naked they are....then I throw their shirts on them and send them to the bathroom to use the facilities.  When they return, I watch and help them get on the rest of their clothes ( underwear, socks, pants ) and watch them go into the bathroom and watch them start the brushing process.  While they are doing that, I make their beds and put away pajamas.  I then return to the bathroom and check their teeth.

I do this every morning without question and then, I send them down to eat breakfast while I get ready and they watch tv.  I do one child at a time so there is no fighting over the toilet and as a result, they are both ready in 7 minutes or less.  I get up 5 minutes early to do this and of course, the book bags are ready and already in the car and shoes are by the door.  try it!!!!

I've used a list that he checks off, with the day at the top and the tasks on the side. I've had him lay out his clothes before bed. I've used marbles, with a list of tasks each worth a certain number of marbles that then go in a jar. He earns toys or whatever with the marbles. I also have a megaphone that allows me to be heard from anywhere in the house, and has a siren option. When he was five I used to just get him dressed while he lay half asleep in bed, and I brushed his teeth and put his shoes on.

Mornings have always been a drag, and if you work it becomes very irritating. I have an 11 yo, and this stuff never ends, so you just have to find a way to make it work without going insane.

Of course, there's always the option of popping a pill in his mouth the minute he wakes up, but then it wears off that much sooner impacting homework completion, and may decrease the breakfast appetite.Jessica N40386.9071064815

I've read all the articles I can find. We have a morning routine. We can get through getting dressed and eating breakfast ok, but then getting into the bathroom and brushing teeth takes FOREVER! He stalls, he falls down on the floor and doesn't want to get up. He'll stand in the bathroom just looking at the mirror. DH and I both work full time, so we need him to be ready by a certain time each day.

 

Anyone have any other ideas? What works for you? TIA!

Jen 

How old is your DS?  Does he brush his own teeth or do you do it for him.  We have somewhat of the same struggle, dressed & breakfast are okay but then brushing is teeth after is like the 1 last thing that he just doesn't want to do.  Our DS is seven and isn't fully medicated in the mornings so we brush his teeth for him, at least for the first minute to know that it's been a job well done.  The 2nd minute is his to brush & when the timer is done, he finishes up on his own.  At least we know that for 1 min his teeth were getting cleaned...if he plays & stares at himself for the 2nd minute...not the end of the world.  In the evenings he brushes fine by himself during the whole two minutes of his timer but we have just found it easier to do it for him for the most part in the morning.  It's less of a battle & we know it's getting done well.  I'm sure you probably think that at 7 our kids should be able to do it themselves but obviously our ADHDr's aren't capable of that yet.  I have read on here before that someone was still brushing their 9 yr olds teeth!  Honestly, if that is what it takes to get the job done efficiantly and without a fight...go for it!    epokey40386.4036805556