September 6th presented some new challenges for full-time working dad’s, like yours truly. With school buses on the local streets, commuters back in the full swing on the highway, and kids starting a fresh school year, life gets complicated.  In my house, where three little ones go off to school at three different times, and dad is responsible for morning duty, it’s extremely stressful to manage the morning.

5:55 a.m. – alarm goes off, time to make coffee and wake up the 10 year old starting middle school

6:15 a.m. – delicious breakfast made, convince  10 year old that a healthy breakfast might give him enough energy until his later than usual lunchtime

6:20 a.m. – start work-life blog for 8:30 a.m. submission

6:30 a.m. – wake up 1st grader and remind him that morning is not time for video games

6:45 a.m. – empty dishwasher and persuade 1st grader that breakfast of champions does not include chocolate

6:55 a.m. – ask middle-schooler where his raincoat is

7:00 a.m. – call nieghbors for raincoat whereabouts

7:05 a.m. – wake up wife for raincoat whereabouts

7:10 a.m. – wave goodbye to 10 year old wearing sweatshirt in rain

7:15 a.m. – shower, dress, ready for work

7:45 a.m. – explain to 4 year old why grown-ups need to attend work everyday during a volatile economy, tell 1st grader home schooling is not possible right now

7:50 a.m. – review bus route and timing with 1st grader

7:55 a.m. – recycling and trash put to curb

8:00 a.m. – pray for short drive thru line at Dunkin Donuts

8:10 a.m. – highway gridlock

8:15 a.m. – see accident that caused back-up, decide to rubberneck like everybody else

8:45 a.m. – review emails and calendar on blackberry

9:00 a.m. – arrive to work 30 minutes late

10:10 a.m. – publish this blog

Prediction for tomorrow:

  • Raincoat will be found although there’s no rain in the forecast.
  • Will need to remind middle-schooler to bring home his mom’s umbrella from locker.
  • 1st grader will not want to go to school anymore. 
  • Pre-schooler will determine that she has enough saved up to help daddy stay home from work.

Read latest survey on work/life balance here.