Morning Routine Help for ADHD 3rd grader

[BeingMom]

I am needing suggestion to help keep my 8 year old son on track in the morning. He has a list of things he needs to complete before school on a chart. Just the basics with a few additional items like feeding his cat. He used to complete it easily without constant reminders but this year it's a struggle keeping him focused. I have to constantly remind him to keep getting ready... dressed, teeth brushed, etc. I am so tired of nagging him all morning long. I have threatened to leave him but he has really intense separation anxiety and that just sends him into a complete downward spiral, so I don't think that's the right tactic for him. He's not fighting the tasks just keeps getting distracted. Any suggestions beyond a chart? Maybe an app? TIA!

[Booksbooks]

how about he can watch tv for a few minutes once he is ready for school?

[Blue_Baby_Bear]

How much sleep is he getting? 3 graders need ~9-11hrs of sleep…We had this issue with our 2nd grader. We had to get strict with his after school routine and get him to bed early (no devices after his allotted screen time). He is able to get dressed and out the door on time.

[waltercomms]

As mentioned, a reward like TV or a little screen time has helped motivate my son. Charts never seem to work in our house, but I have found more success with notes on an analog clock. This lets my son see what needs to be done and helps him understand if he's running late or on time

morning routine clock

[Blue_Baby_Bear in reply to waltercomms]

I like this clock idea!🥰

[LOATer]

I bought a big visual timer for my 8 year old and it helps a bit since she can visually see how much time she has.(I got the pink one!) When timer goes off we get shoes on then go out door. Also helpful for homework, such as 20 min reading or needing to finish x pages before it goes off, to create a sense of urgency. I actually like it for myself too!

[RudyBlue]

This has helped for us - basic checklist chart with time, some sort of clock or countdown timer (we use this one and reset for each activity), and reward if finished early (like 5-10 mins of tv before school).

Timer

[Lanego]

I use an app called multi timer, it was recommended by my daughter's therapist who also uses it. My daughter likes that she can set the amount of time for each step in her morning routine, so she has 1 minute for putting on clothes, 3 for eating breakfast, 1 for shoes and socks and 2 for brushing teeth. It keeps her on track and I don't have to bug her constantly. After a few months she didn't need to use it every morning, but now and then she will ask for it.

[momwifedaughtersis]

great ideas here. One other idea that helped us - if you have space in the bathroom, you can set things up so that the kid can move items (Eg, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, deodorant) from a “Not done” basket to “Done” as they use them/complete the task.

Another thing I haven’t done but thought about - there are digital clocks designed for elderly people where you can set audio alarms. (I was thinking something like, “it’s 8.10 - shoes on”)

My son finds it most helpful and least stressful if I just say the time. He knows we need to leave at 8.15, so saying “it’s 8:12” is better/more motivating than “hurry up we’re going to be late!”

Ugh the mornings are so stressful ☹️

[BeingMom]

Great suggestions everyone. I think using an analog clock or something more visual than the digital clock will help immensely! Thanks so much!!