Question
I need tips on how to deal with “don’t want to go to school today” or “don't want to go to sports, I'm tired' tantrums.
All they want to do (both of them) is stay on the couch, play Roblox or Minecraft.
How to convince them without threatening or forcing them to go?
Answer
This is one of those questions that include the idea of embracing the tantrum and maintaining a consistent routine.
When they have a tantrum or tell you they don't want to go, they are showing you their immaturity in delaying gratification, tolerating the hard emotions that come up when they have to stop pleasure (i.e.. couch, Roblox, play) and understanding time management.
So, the best way to manage this is to go to school, the sports or any responsibility "No matter what". The only reasons not to go to school, sport or an activity you have committed to is due to sickness or unexpected "adult" barriers. The consistency of always going no matter what even if you are late because you had to tolerate a tantrum is what creates the habit of stopping pleasure and delaying gratification.
They will complain. so #EmbraceTheTantrum plan for it by adding an extra 15 minutes between the transition to stop the pleasure they are up to and having to leave the house,
We as adults complain too. We just do it quietly in our mind. On Monday morning most of us have upsetting feelings around having to start the week up. But we already have the skill to delay our gratification and pleasure to do the responsibility. Many of us also have the routine of caffeine intake from our coffee to get us through.
I imagine this is not a satisfying answer. Since I am asking you to accept their "tantrum" and loss of emotion. But know you are aware that what your children are doing is perfectly normal.