Why I am Always Late. Part 2

Part 2

Now knowing that I don't give myself allowances for error for my large number of children, why am I always late for everything?  Two simple reasons: I was always late before I had children (meaning that deep down I truly do not place a lot of importance on being on time), and the other reason is crisis management skills. 

My husband and I took Psychology 101 when our oldest child was about a year-old.  It taught us more than any parenting book or class ever taught us.   I really can't tell you how much learning the basic principles of psychology helped us in raising our kids.  It also touched briefly on crisis management skills. 

The 4 phases in any Crisis Management are as follows

1. The diagnosis of the impending trouble or the danger signals.
2. Choosing appropriate Turnaround Strategy.
3. Implementation of the change process and its monitoring.
4. Kill the Ninjas attacking you.

Crisis management becomes increasingly challenging with increased amounts of children.  I call this the "Bladder Factor".  The more bladders involved, the more likely you will need a mop. 

"Ok, everybody go potty before we leave!"

"Why?"

"I don't have to go."

"I just went." (You know, 3 1/2 hours ago…)

Then, the inevitable, calls of:

"I missed."

"I didn't make it and my pants are wet."

"The toilet won't flush."

"Why is the floor all wet?"

This is why the big spray bottle of Simple Green sits out on the counter next to a roll of paper towels.  No, husband, these items will not be put away for at least another 10 years.  That is my bottle of turnaround strategy.

Or we often skip step 1.  As opposed to facing the bathroom, where doom is lurking, many situations spring directly to step 2.  There is just no warning for when someone will get sick, or fall.  That's why my R.S.V.P.s always include: barring illness and injury, we'll be there.  Crisis management is an ongoing learning process. I think once I'm ready to enter the workplace again, I will have to find something that includes crisis management or I'll just be bored.  No more cubicles for me.

My mother always wants to know why I don't place importance on being on time, or even (gasp) early?  Even if I'm late, I still made it.  Did I get to Mass? Yes, check.  Did we have fun and share love with the birthday person? Yes, check. 

Am I the latest?  I don't know, you would have to ask the people who were on time.  But I'm on time more often, and I've never lost a child or had a teacher think I forgot - I've gotten that call only once, but it was the bus driver's fault. 

"Punctuality is the virtue of the bored." -Evelyn Waugh