Parents who often find themselves scrambling to get out of the door and arriving at their destination 10, 15, or even 20 minutes late may want to explore the details of their delays. To cure chronic lateness, consider these tips:
1. Consider the cause. Understanding the reasons behind your delays is the first step to taming tardiness.
2. Calibrate the clock. Be realistic about the amount of time it takes to get a task done or travel from one location to another.
3. Factor in the unforeseen. Create buffers by leaving early. Plan for the unexpected such as traffic, car trouble, and extra help or attention your child may need.
4. Make preparations. Set out clothes, books, keys, lunches, and other items well in advance to avoid last-minute delays. Prepare needed directions and put them by the door, so they are ready to go.
5. Eliminate distractions. Turn off or avoid electronic items when time is tight.
6. Delay or delegate domestic “to-dos.” Set aside less-important tasks until later. Delegate responsibilities to your spouse or children.
7. Sound the alarm. Set your watch, cellphone alarm, or kitchen timer to go off several minutes before you have to leave as a reminder and to give yourself a margin of error.
8. Keep calendars. Carry a personal daily calendar with you to jot down appointments and activities you learn about while away from home. When you return, transfer that information to a monthly family planner that is placed in a visible location.
9. Ask for accountability. Recruit someone who is punctual to be your time coach until you get a grasp on time management.
10. Respect others. Remember: When you keep people waiting, it is disrespectful of their time.
11. Set goals. Write down goals and an action plan and commit to it. Set “smart” goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time limited. Create a plan for achieving those goals and list the benefits to keep you motivated.
12. Pass it on. Model for your children the importance of time management, as this will have a lasting impact and permeate their school, work, and personal lives, now and in the future.
Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children.
