Challenge Them

To develop the behavior you wan t(packing their backpack, say), tell your kids that you doubt they can so it. "Parents often think explaining things to a kid is the way to get him to change his ways," notes Alan E. Kazdin, PH.D., director of the Yale parenting Center. "But actually, if you say, "I bet you can't get dresses all by yourself, "your kid will likely respond, "Oh yes, I can!" Once your little one completes a task, heap praise on him-it will encourage an encore performance.

Practice

Self-sufficiency requires some repetition. The good news" About two weeks of dedication is all parents need to get kids with the program. "During that time, help your child through each task until she can do it entirely without you, " says Dr. Kazdin." Then fade out those prompts and you're done."

Do Some Prep

A bit of advanced legwork, like laying out the next day's outfit or putting out the cereal the night before, can save a lot of hand-holding during the a.m. rush.

Set a Fast Pace

When the kids dawdle, play Beat the Clock. Pick a series of related tasks, set a timer for a few minutes, and ask your child if he can do them before the buzzer sounds. Every time he wins, he gets a point to be used for a treat.

Calm Yourself

The more stressed you get, the less likely kids will do what you ask. To decompress, walk to the end of the house and back. Remember you can always try again tomorrow!

Randolph Eastern School Corporation

North Side