Never on time
Before You Begin
Pause and breathe. Even if this shouldn't be happening... accept that it is and embrace it with composure and calmness.
Calmness is the only way forward because without calm, there is no possibility for receptiveness and connection. Your child won't give to you any more than they see from you.
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Never forget that a strong connection is fundamental, as there will be no correction in them if there is no connection with you.
The Core Problem
Doesn't understand the importance of punctuality, or what it takes to arrive on time.
What Will Make It Worse
Reacting with frustration, criticism, or punishment will make the child feel bad, and do nothing to help them develop the skills and motivation they need to be on time.
What The Child Needs
1. To want the perks of punctuality: Before they put forth any effort to fix this problem, they have to want it to be fixed. Have them imagine a world where they are less stressed from rushing, aren't forgetting things from gathering their stuff in a scramble, make a better first impression from not having someone waiting on them, and generally feel a confidence in themselves that they are on their A-game. That is what punctuality gets you, and that is why it's worth the effort.
2. Better time management skills: Help the child understand how much time is needed for their activities and how to block out time for each of them plus time for transitioning between them.
3. A plan for success: Have the child create a visual schedule, pre-pack their bag, use alarms/reminders, or implement any other tool/hack to help themselves track their time and be ready for scheduled events.
How To Have The Conversation With Your Child
Find a moment when you and your child can sit and chat without any distractions. This is not a conversation that needs to be heavy or long-winded, so neither of you need to be anxious about it.
Share with them that it's time they really understood the power of punctuality and what it can do for them.
Without making it a lecture, start in on point 1 under "What The Child Needs". You can even make it funny by using the classic movie trailer voice "Imagine a world where....". Talk through that point with the goal of genuinely selling them on why being punctual, or even early, brings them so much good.
From there, move on to points 2 and 3 focusing on past problem areas of lateness and making it a two-way conversation of what will be the most helpful and realistic tactics for them to add into their lives to always arrive on time.
Then close with reminding them that managing to always be at the right place at the right time is a challenge even for you, so any time they need help figuring out how to make it work you are there to talk through it with them.