Never on Time

Lately, my alter ego is the white bunny from Alice in Wonderland. I am always late and always completely stressed out about it. I am certain my high school band director would be disappointed because his motto was “to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late.” My neighbors get a real treat when I come bounding out the door with an exasperated look on my face sternly telling my kids to sit still so I can buckle their car seats each day. All the while my two little ones are talking about the snow, a stick they found, how they need a drink, or want a toy to play with on the ride. They are so calm and not worried about a thing. Those are the moments I wish they could frolic in the snow or wave their new stick around like a wand; but no, I am late - as usual.

The holiday time is not an excuse nor that it is winter and hibernation is in order, this lateness problem started when the kids were born. I am not blaming them, but there seems to be a direct correlation. It literally takes us an hour and a half from the time the announcement is made that we need to leave until we have our coats on and are walking out the door.  My darling three year old goes through at least two outfits before she chooses the same dress she always wears, my one year old son decides that dumping his milk on the dog is a great idea, and also decides to take his daily bowel movement as soon as I turn off the last light. Thanks, son, couldn’t you have done that earlier?! My daughter was late for preschool the entire month of December because she chose school days to sleep passed 8:00 a.m. Why did she decide those were the two days she was tired when the rest of the week she’s up at 7:00 a.m. on the dot?

I don't like to accept the fact that it may be me - that I need to be a better time manager, especially when I am not always the one in charge. My bosses are decades younger than me, all they want to do is play, and have no concept of time. When I worked there was never this time issue, but there were also no kids. I was always the first person in the office, and halfway through a latte, emails, and morning meeting notes before anyone else arrived. Heck, I’d even shown up to movies early to be sure to get popcorn and not miss the previews. Having children has definitely put a cramp in my timeliness style. Perhaps I just need a large pocketwatch…or cute bunny ears. Well, gotta go - I’m late, I’m late for a very important date!

This is an original Ohio Moms Blog post.

Kristin’s other alter ego is cBus Mom. Follow her on twitter or read her blogs: cBus Mom or Glass of Whine.