Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Punctuality (or Nature Calls)

First off, let me say that I did not plan to end my blogging hiatus with a "rant post," but I just kinda go with whatever is in my head at the time. Sorry.

So...punctuality. I am a fan. I have always been a huge fan. I think I got it from my mom who set all the clocks in our house 5 minutes fast. I took to heart the saying on the poster in my high school band room: "To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late is to be in trouble!" I am big into punctuality.

So, since I am so big into punctuality, why, in the past two days, have I sent two separate sons off to gymnastics and piano, respectively, late? Two words: Nature Calls. Let me elaborate. Yesterday at 4:15PM I pull on my shoes, grab my bag, sunglasses, and car keys, and call to O, "O! Time for gymnastics! Let's go!" I hear his little feet on the stairs and look over to see his cute little face peek around the corner. He says, "I have to poop. Do I have time to poop?" And what do you say to that, really? So 20 minutes later, we are finally in the car on our way to gymnastics. He was 15 minutes late. Today at 4:17 S says, "I have to poop." 12 minutes later I knock on the bathroom door and remind him that he has to go to piano. "Okay, Mom!" He finally heads out the door and down the street at 4:35 -- 5 minutes late for his piano lesson. I think about calling out the door after him, "You're late! Run!" but think better of it because, let's face it, he won't listen anyway. What is a mom supposed to do? How is it that the bowels of my sons move fearfully slow? Is it because they are boys? It happens with their dad too. He walk in from work, heads to the bathroom, and 25 minutes later emerges to greet his family. It must be a male thing. What mom really has time to spend 15 minutes or more on the pot? Did Heavenly Father make us this way? Moms' bowels move more efficiently, dads' take longer? How do I foster punctuality in my boys when I'm fighting against nature?

6 comments:

Rob and Kathy said...

wow! does john know you just posted this? Ha Ha I love the way you write...I can actually here you saying these things. These issues are not just a boy thing by the way...nothing ruffles my feathers more than dealing with my children and their resistance to letting nature do its thing. Good Luck!

Molly said...

That's hilarious Esther! I think it might be a boy thing, Macy and Alice are both fast poopers!

erin said...

Sorry to mess with your theory but Jill takes FOREVER!!! Too funny!

Unknown said...

25 minutes? Two words: Angry Birds.

Anonymous said...

Tread carefully, J! Are you saying you're an angry bird because I posted your WC time and that I'm a pig? ;)

ernie said...

did mom really set out clocks ahead? i don't remember this. maybe i never knew.