This morning, my child was still munching away at breakfast when we were supposed to be heading out the door. I had set the alarm for 6 a.m. with the hope of leaving the house by 7. He goes to bed in his clothes for the next day (which is a bit odd), he doesn’t fuss much with his hair, the TV was off, and thankfully, there were no accidents or injuries. Despite all of this, I find myself at a loss for why time slipped away from us — we ended up late, yet again.
What complicates matters is that my son is now 14, not a toddler who doesn’t quite grasp why his mom is insisting he get dressed instead of playing with toys. He understands the situation and puts in the effort, but somehow we still can’t seem to make it work seamlessly.
This routine has been ongoing for years, and it often unfolds like this: “Carter, we’re going to be late, let’s hurry.” He tries to pick up the pace, yet it seems as if he has no sense of urgency. In the ensuing chaos, things often go awry — he bumps into furniture, spills the contents of his bag everywhere, and I’m left nervously clenching my jaw, knowing I can’t do anything to speed up the process at this point.
“Come on, Carter, we’re running late again,” I say for what feels like the thousandth time.
His reply is always the same: “You yelling at me isn’t going to help.”
This dynamic has changed now that he stands at 6’1” and outweighs me by a good amount, making it impossible to physically assist him as I did when he was younger.
With two other kids and myself also needing to prepare, the morning madness only escalates. It’s a recipe for disaster — someone inevitably needs to use the bathroom, another might require a drink, and every day seems to bring the familiar struggle of locating shoes, coats, or books. My son might complain about the fit of his socks, or I might forget to bring the dog along for her vet visit until we’re already in the car.
Yes, being a parent is my legitimate reason for being late, and I stand by it. While some may view it as inconsiderate, I often wonder what secret formula those punctual parents use to ensure their families are always on time. I admire their ability to juggle everything so effortlessly while I’m left scrambling to coax my youngest into wearing a coat while simultaneously searching for his permission slip.
Perhaps one day I, too, will master the art of punctuality and not feel like I’m perpetually in a hurry, always ten minutes behind. But today is not that day.
Most parents I encounter who are frequently late aren’t leisurely sipping coffee, thinking, “It’s fine, I can be tardy because I have kids.” No, they’re usually in a frantic rush, anxiously watching the clock and berating themselves for yet another late arrival, all while urging their children to move faster. It’s a chaotic scene, and nobody is enjoying it; lateness is not a deliberate choice.
Parenting is unpredictable, and life happens. Sometimes in the most unexpected ways. While we strive to be punctual, we often find ourselves in situations that derail our best intentions. It’s not a matter of feeling entitled. We plan and prepare, yet something always seems to go awry.
Being late doesn’t reflect poorly on your character or signify a lack of respect for others’ time. It’s simply a testament to the challenges of parenting, where life throws curveballs, and you do your best to keep up. If anyone labels you as inconsiderate for being a few minutes late because you were searching for a pacifier that rolled under the car seat, don’t let it bother you. After all, you’re likely too busy trying to get your family out the door on time.
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Summary
Navigating the chaos of parenthood often leads to tardiness, as the daily hustle to get everyone ready can turn into a frantic race against the clock. Despite efforts to plan and prepare, unexpected challenges arise, making punctuality a rare achievement. This article highlights the realities and struggles many parents face, emphasizing that being late is not a reflection of one’s character but a part of the parenting journey.