The philosophy that “if you’re on time, you’re late” was a mantra I absorbed from my father. From my early years, I vividly recall him shepherding us to events and gatherings well ahead of their start times. It became a family joke that he would often sit in airport terminals for longer than the duration of his flights, as he meticulously planned to arrive early. On the day of his funeral, we found ourselves laughing through tears when the funeral director said he’d likely get to the airport three hours in advance.
I’ve inherited my father’s sense of punctuality and, like him, I’ve faced my share of good-natured teasing over the years. Even as a parent, I pride myself on rarely being late to playdates or school activities. I can already hear the eye rolls. Yes, I am that mom who consistently arrives on time — and I’ve stopped feeling guilty about it. I’m not showing off, I assure you.
Friends often roll their eyes when they show up late to a lunch or fitness class, only to find I’ve already arrived. Some have even made me feel guilty for my punctuality. “Why can’t you just be late like the rest of us? You’re just trying to show off,” they tease. The truth is, it’s not that simple; I operate on a different internal clock than those who are habitually late.
Practical Suggestions for Punctuality
While there isn’t a magical solution to guarantee you’ll always be on time for events like “Mommy and Me” classes, I do have a few practical suggestions:
Ditch the Snooze Button.
I know this might sound harsh, but when my alarm goes off, I get up without delay. I plan ahead the night before, ensuring there’s ample time to get my kids ready and enjoy a cup of coffee. While it’s tempting to snuggle in for an extra 20 minutes, that often leads to chaos and caffeine deprivation.
Treat Every Day Like the First Day of School.
We’ve all seen those back-to-school photos where parents joke, “This is the most organized I’ll be all year!” The truth is, punctual people live every day with that same level of organization. Ensuring that backpacks are ready, shoes are found, and meals are prepped the night before can significantly improve your chances of being on time. It may feel strange at first, but soon enough, you’ll appreciate not having to shout, “Where are your shoes?” when the bus is just minutes away.
Stick to Your Schedule.
I’m somewhat of a stickler for leaving events on time, which helps maintain my daily routine. Although I enjoy chatting with friends, I adhere to my departure times strictly. I’m not being impolite; I’m just committed to staying on track.
Identify and Adjust Patterns That Cause Delays.
If you notice your family is consistently late to activities like dance class, take a moment to analyze your routine. It may be as simple as misplaced keys or not having your dance bag ready to go. Small oversights can lead to significant delays.
Allow for Downtime.
As a stay-at-home mom, I often felt pressure to fill every spare moment with tasks. However, that “one more thing” often created a domino effect of delays for the rest of the day. Embrace those quiet moments; they can lead to less stress and more time overall.
Those of us who pride ourselves on being punctual often have habits that structure our days effectively, allowing us to avoid the frantic rush often experienced by others. If you’re interested in learning more about managing time effectively, consider exploring additional resources, such as this article on home insemination. You might also find this site useful for fertility supplements, or check out this excellent resource on infertility and pregnancy.
In summary, being on time as a parent is achievable with some strategic planning and mindset shifts. Adopting these habits can lead to a more organized and less stressful daily routine.