This morning, my son was still munching on breakfast when we were supposed to head out the door. I had set the alarm for 6 a.m. to ensure we could leave by 7. He sleeps in his clothes (a bit quirky, I know), doesn’t fuss over his hair, and the TV was off. No accidents, no distractions — yet somehow, we were late again.
And just to clarify, my son is 14, not some bewildered toddler who doesn’t quite grasp the importance of getting dressed for the day. He knows the drill. He tries his best, and so do I. Yet, we keep missing the mark.
The routine typically unfolds like this: “Lucas, we’re going to be late! Hurry up!” He makes an effort to speed things up, but it’s as if he’s forgotten how to move quickly. Tensions rise, he gets frustrated, bumps into things, and spills his entire backpack on the floor. And I’m left clenching my teeth because there’s nothing I can do to accelerate the process now.
“Come on, Lucas. We’re late again,” I say, a phrase I’ve repeated countless times.
He always replies, “Yelling won’t make me move faster.”
This dynamic doesn’t help, especially now that he towers over me at 6’2” and has quite a bit of weight on me. I can’t physically push him out the door like I used to when he was little.
With two other kids and myself to get ready, chaos is inevitable. Someone needs to use the restroom, another wants a drink, and finding shoes, coats, or books is an everyday challenge. My son’s socks might feel uncomfortable, or I might forget to bring the dog along for her vet appointment as we’re pulling out of the driveway.
Yes, being a parent is my solid excuse for being late, and I stand by it. While some may see it as inconsiderate, I can’t help but wonder what secret formula those punctual parents have. I admire those individuals who seem to have it all together while I’m left sweating, trying to convince my youngest to put on his coat while I search for his permission slip.
Perhaps one day, I’ll achieve that level of punctuality, no longer rushing from one obligation to the next. But today is not that day.
Most parents who find themselves late aren’t leisurely sipping coffee while watching morning shows. Instead, we’re scrambling, glancing at the clock, berating ourselves for yet another late arrival, and urging our kids to hurry up. It’s a frantic race, and no one enjoys it. It’s not intentionally done to keep anyone waiting.
As a parent, life happens. Sometimes, quite literally. Being late is our reality, despite our efforts to be timely. It’s not about feeling entitled; we prepare and plan, yet something invariably goes awry.
Being late doesn’t reflect poorly on your character or suggest you don’t value others’ time. It simply means that life is throwing curveballs, and you’re doing your best to keep up. If someone chooses to label you as selfish for being a few minutes late because you were busy searching for a pacifier that fell under the car seat to spare your child from a meltdown during the car ride, let them think that. You certainly don’t have time to dwell on it while you’re occupied trying to get your family out the door.
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Summary:
Parenthood often leads to being late due to the chaos of getting multiple family members ready. Even with careful planning, mishaps happen. Being late isn’t a reflection of one’s character but rather a testament to the unpredictability of family life. Parents juggle many responsibilities, and while it may seem frustrating, it’s a common experience that many share.