Morning Screen Time and Sick at Bedtime for 01/27/2017

Dear Family Coach: Although my 9-year-old daughter wakes hours before school, she still drags her feet getting out the door. She likes to use her iPad in the mornings, so she pops out of bed early for some screen time. The iPad is set up to turn off 20 minutes before the bus arrives. However, excessive nagging and arguing are required to get her to the bus on time. I thought it might be helpful to pay her a dollar every time she is ready before 8:30 a.m., but my husband hates the idea. What do you think? — Tired of Mornings Mom

Dear Tired: Sit down because you aren't going to like my advice. Yes, it is excessive to pay your child to do the most basic of required childhood activities. One problem with the payment system is that eventually your daughter will decide the dollar isn't worth that much. She would rather play one more game or delay for a few more minutes. When that happens, you will be out all that money and she still won't be ready on time. Furthermore, in the future, she will begin a financial negotiation every time you want her to do anything. Trust me, this will become a burden and highly unpleasant.

Updated: Fri Jan 27, 2017