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.

Instead of paying your daughter, try reorganizing her mornings. Before she is allowed to touch the iPad she must be dressed, done with breakfast and done brushing her teeth, and have her shoes on, her lunch packed and her backpack zipped and be ready at the front door. Then and only then can she use the iPad. Have a firm cutoff five minutes before the bus. If she has any trouble relinquishing the device at the appropriate time, she cannot have it the next day. This will make her furious. Don't budge. When she sees you mean business and her precious screen time is taken away, she will follow the rules in a hurry.

If your daughter is still struggling to motivate in the mornings, I would cut her off from any screens until after school. While this will be a huge (and probably inconceivable) change, after a week or so she will be over it and a lot less distracted in the mornings.

Dear Family Coach: When I try to put my 7-year-old to sleep, she starts to complain about pains she is having. I mostly think this is a ploy to delay bedtime, but what if something really hurts and I've ignored it? — Not-So-Sure Mom

Dear Mom: It is amazing how often children are completely healthy and without a care in the world until it is bedtime. Then, quite suddenly, there are aches, pains and anxieties. Here's the thing about kids being sick or hurt: There is typically evidence. Children who aren't feeling well tend to be lethargic, feverish, rashy, sweaty or pukey, or have scratchy voices. And when there is a lack of evidence, children who are truly sick tend to show these signs eventually. Children who feel pain will limp, avoid using a limb or say ouch when touched.

If your child is playing happily at bath time but suddenly has a complaint at tuck-in, do a quick assessment. Does she look or sound sick? Does she show signs of an injury? If not, tell her you are sorry she isn't feeling well; give her an extra kiss; and tell her you will see how she seems in the morning. Tell her to be sure to call for you if her symptoms escalate.

Dr. Catherine Pearlman, the founder of The Family Coach, LLC, advises parents on all matters of child rearing. To write to Dr. Pearlman, send her an email at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Catherine Pearlman and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.