I hate being late! Even more so, I hate it when other people are late. However, after becoming a mom, I’ve learned that getting anywhere on time is nearly impossible – especially with three children under the age of five. Even when I allow extra time (sometimes even an hour before), I still manage to enter panic mode as the minutes fly by, and we still aren’t out the door. Here are the many reasons why…
Shoes are mysteriously missing. Even though I put the shoes away in each closet every night to avoid this problem, a shoe is guaranteed to be missing.
Someone takes too long to eat. My daughter is the slowest eater ever. Although it’s nice that she takes small bites and chews everything carefully, she holds us up when finishing her breakfast. But crazy enough, if you give that girl a cookie, it’s gone in seconds.
I can’t find my keys. Why aren’t the keys and shoes always in the same spot? I blame this one on Mommy Brain. I’ve even found myself running around searching while the keys were in my coat pocket.
I need to wrestle my kids to put on shoes and coats. Literally, wrestle them to the ground. My little guy can squirm out of any grip and hates wearing his coat…or pants. He also demands that he only wear his red rain boots. Sometimes, the fight isn’t worth it!
Someone pooped or has to poop. Enough said!
Someone is suddenly starving and wants a snack or drink immediately. I swear I feel like my kids eat all day long, but I try to avoid the hangry phase at all costs.
A wardrobe change is needed. This could be for various reasons: food spills, potty problems, snot smears, newly discovered rips and tears, mismatched outfits, you name it.
Fighting over toys. Even though playtime is over and the toys are meant to be put away, someone is inevitably fighting over a Ninja Turtle figurine or throwing a game of cards on the floor.
I catch a glance of myself in the mirror. I have difficulty going out in public with a mop of messy hair and super dark circles under my eyes. If I’m running out to the grocery store, who cares, but if I’m sure I’m going to see someone I know, I can’t leave the house without my mascara, chapstick, and a clean pair of pants.
Someone gets hurt, most likely by stepping on a Lego or Matchbox car. My big boy always leaves a trail of toys behind him for some reason. And now that he’s getting older, the toys are getting smaller, with more and more pieces to step on.
I mistakenly think I have a few extra minutes to throw a load in the wash or restart the load that’s already in there for the third time.
Once I pull out of the driveway, I realize I forgot something and need to run back inside. It might be the cookies I baked bought for a play date or the birthday present I left on the counter next to my wallet.
I’m sorry—I really am! So please, when I show up at your house late, or we’re supposed to meet at the park, know I’ve tried my best to be on time, and I totally get it if I get there first.
, I still manage to enter panic mode as the minutes fly by and we still aren’t out the door. Here are the many reasons why...){kind=link}
I can literally relate to all of those things every single day. I’m glad to hear that others have to wrangle their boys into pants and jackets, that their girls forget EVERYTHING that is supposed to be in their backpack for Kinder, and that the laundry isn’t methodically or calmly done. Thank you for making me realize I’m a normal mom with a normal household!!
The greatest thing is knowing that you are not the only mom feeling this way! All we can do is keeping trying and hopefully we won’t be late for everything!