Testing The Waters
Thu Nov 10 2005

I should start by saying that I warned him.  Really I did, I have witnesses.

#1 is EXTREMELY hard to get out of bed on school mornings.  I have found though, that with the proper motivation he is able to get up and get going quicker than you could imagine.  After seeing this several times, I changed the rules on him.  I informed #1 that it was now his responsibility to get himself out of bed, ready for school and out the door.  His alarm clock is set and goes off every morning, and I always give him a verbal to get out of bed.  I told him that those would be his only wake up calls.  No longer would I go up to his room every 5 minutes nagging at him to get out of bed.  If he didn't get himself up, too bad.  I would not coddle him, or nag him.  I would give no excuse for him to take to school, and I won't take him either.  

He has done good so far.  Until this morning.

#2 left for school about a half hour ago, and #1 has made no sounds or signs of getting out of bed yet.  I heard his alarm go off at 5:45, and I heard him get out of bed to turn it off.  At 6:10 I went into his room and told him to get out of bed and get going.  He made some noise and moved around a bit under the covers, so I left his room to come downstairs and do the Mom Morning Supervision routine.  I haven't heard or seen sign of him since then.

It will be time to get #3 up and going in the next 5 minutes or so.  It will be interesting to see if #1 is still in slumberland or not after that.

I should also mention that Hubby has today off, and he is also still upstairs asleep in bed.  He was there when I gave #1 the new law of the land.  I don't think he thought I would actually go through with it though.  I guess there will be a couple men surprised in the house this morning.

#1's Disappointment


I failed to mention to #1 this morning, that since he was unable to get himself up and going, he should not look at today as a rewarded No School Day. I did inform him this evening, that because he could not get himself out of bed and to school, that there would be no TV tonight.

Tonight is his favorite TV show, Smallville. Him having to miss this while the rest of the family watches it will be pure torture.

Maybe that will help ensure he gets up on time in the future.

6 Comments
  • From:
    TenderSoul (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 10 2005
    You go Mom! If he's anything like my daughter, he will act completely surprised that you didn't force him to get up! LOL
  • From:
    Pinkspiritlady (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 10 2005
    Good for you. We did that years ago with the kids and they were late several times but for the most part they get themselves up on time. It is all a part of being a grown up. You can't have your mommy getting you up when your an adult. They are not too far away from 18. It is time they are responsable for themselves more and more. I agree with your plan.
  • From:
    PixieKitten (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 10 2005
    wow...good on you. hope it works out!

    -pk-
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 10 2005
    You go girl.

    It's the law of action and reaction. Best learn it now!

    Don't cave!
  • From:
    Welshamethyst (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 10 2005
    Way to go, Alli!!!!!
  • From:
    Dananarama (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Nov 11 2005
    Good strategy. He'll be thinking now what you will deprive him of next time he doesn't get up in time - good to keep him on his toes...and out of bed :o)

    I agree, don't cave or the whole exercise will be completely useless!