I need help with my 3 year old!!

[Kaci1955]

I have a 3 year old boy.  He is a very strong willed, determined and independent child.  During the day, he probably acts like most 3 year olds and is generally a good and sweet child, and extremely funny.  But in the morning, it is AWFUL!!! He goes to bed at 8:00pm every night and I try to be very scheduled with him.  In the morning I wake him up by 6:15 and take him to get ready and that is when it starts.  He cries and pitches a fit because I got his face wet while wetting his hair (I put a towel around him to try to keep water from dripping), then I let him pick how he wants me to brush his teeth--fast like a race car or slow like Franklin the turtle- he chooses and then it still isn't right and he SCREAMS at me about that, then to use the potty.  He screams that he doesn't have to use the bathroom, even though he does and will eventually do it.  By the time I have loaded the kids in the car (8 year old, 3 year old and 4 month old - all boys), I am so frazzled and frustrated that it is all I can do to not start crying.  What are some things that I can do in order to help with my mornings.  Nightime isn't perfect, but it is nowhere near as bad as the mornings.

Please, Please, Please, help me!!!

[mom@homenow]

I agree with angel he's getting some attention out of it, with 3 kids you are pushed for time and he senses that.  It sounds like no matter what you do and how you do it, he is going to scream and complain right now. You've got to pick the battles or you'll go insane with such a strong willed one. Why do you wet his hair, is it to slick it down to look nice? I often didn't bother with my son at that age because he hated it, anyway his hair would calm down after while on its own. If you must, try wetting a baby type brush instead of his hair and give it a shake to get most of the water out and then brush his hair. Or put a ball cap on him in the morning, let him wear it until he gets out of the car where ever you are taking him. The hat will flatten it down so it isn't sticking up all over. As for teeth brushing, if you do a good job of it in the evening before bed then it isn't really the end of the world if he does a poor job of it in the morning. I'd let him try. According to the guidelines one thorough brushing every 24 hrs is most important, the rest is a bonus with this age group. Personally I'd choose to pick the potty battle and stand my ground on that one, and lighten up on the others. Best wishes~

[Angelinthemorning]

Sounds like he's not getting enough sleep or he's just not a morning person.  I'm 27 years old and if I thought a tantrum would do me any good, I'd probably throw one every morning.  You might start waking him up a little early than you are.  Give him time to "wake-up" before you actually pull him out of bed.  Start giving him more to do for himself in the mornings.(Brushing his own teeth) You might try incorporating a "get ready chart".  They get a star for everything they accomplish without having to be asked twice.  Reward could be something as simple as getting 30 minutes one-on-one time with mom if they have all their stars at the end of the week. (If that's possible) And just take off 5-10 minutes for each star they're missing.  
It could just be his way of keeping your attention focused on him.