Ari started school yesterday, which means I am back to hassling him to get dressed, brush his teeth, eat breakfast, etc., etc., etc..

Last school year, I would get frustrated or roll with the punches depending on my mood. Sometimes -- if I was finished with morning chores early enough -- I would cuddle with him, tickle him and joke with him in bed in the mornings. Other times, I would ask him at least five times to get out of bed and threaten to take away privileges like TV if he was not up immediately.

I have seen friends do various things to get their preschooler or kindergartner to do what they are supposed to in the morning like make a child-friendly check-off list with pictures. Parents magazine once suggested taking pictures of children doing chores and then posting them somewhere for them to see. I thought it was a clever idea and actually took pictures of Ari making his bed, getting dressed, brushing his teeth and eating breakfast. But I haven't actually gotten around to printing them out and posting them in his room.

What do you do to get everyone ready and out on time?