Get yourself to bed at a reasonable hour. You'll be better able to deal with whatever happens in the morning. With ample sleep, most children will wake up without help. But when they don't and you have to rouse them, be sure you do it gently. If not, try moving about the room, opening shades, turning on lights, talking softly, or playing music.
Some children respond to a cool washcloth across the forehead or being gently repositioned.
If such maneuvers get no response, give your child five to ten minutes more to emerge from sleep before trying again, suggests Ang. Of course, such delay tactics mean you have to build extra time into your morning schedule. He'll protest for all of two minutes, and then we have a good time. Some kids who, on their own, tend to pop awake directly out of deep sleep, still require special handling. So make sure you allow ten minutes or so before you ask them to do anything.