After 42 minutes of my children dawdling, complaining about school, and repeatedly running back inside for forgotten items like lunches, homework, and jackets, it was clear we were going to be late. Again. With my keys in hand and anxiety rising, I sat stiffly in the driver’s seat, waiting for the last one to scramble into the car. Teeth clenched, I wordlessly reversed out of the driveway.
As a mother of three, juggling two school drop-offs, I know that leaving even a minute late can derail our entire day. When I say “we,” I mean “me.” Sure, my children might face the embarrassment of a tardy slip, but once they hand it over and settle in, they can move on. For me, however, being late means sacrificing my own timely commitments—whether it’s an appointment with a doctor, meeting a friend, or fitting in some much-needed exercise. My meticulously planned schedule gets thrown off just enough to keep me frazzled the rest of the day.
Like so many, I operate on tight margins. So when a white SUV pulled in front of me on the narrow street and began to cruise well below the 25 mph speed limit, I lost my cool. With the kids in the back seat, I managed to suppress my cursing and instead thumped the steering wheel, half-shouting, “What’s wrong with this guy?! He’s making us LATE!”
I flicked my high beams at him, engaging in some passive-aggressive driving maneuvers, and after a couple of minutes, he finally pulled over. I foolishly thought he was letting me pass. Instead, he exited his vehicle and approached my car, looking far from happy.
What do you do when an irate driver confronts you? As he tapped on my window, his scowl only fueled my adrenaline and indignation. Who did this man—clearly enjoying a leisurely drive—think he was? Didn’t he see the speed limit? I readied myself to defend my actions.
Taking a deep breath, I rolled down my window, prepared for a fight. “What are you in such a hurry for?” he shouted, his anger palpable. “You’re driving way too closely! You need to slow down!”
Those last five words hit me hard: You need to slow down.
I opened my mouth to retort, but no words emerged. I wanted to argue that he was driving dangerously slow, but deep down, I recognized the truth in his statement.
From the moment I wake up, I feel as if I’m falling behind. So much feels out of my control—how quickly my kids get ready and their moods. I rush around, tense and demanding, trying to reclaim lost time. Most mornings end with yelling or tears, my heart tight and my brow furrowed.
All day, I zip from one task to another, juggling responsibilities, squeezing in one more errand or phone call before picking up my kids, starting dinner, and overseeing homework. I tell myself this frantic pace is just part of motherhood, and I strive to do my best. But the reality is, I can’t keep up this exhausting version of motherhood anymore. It’s draining and, frankly, makes me unhappy.
When those words from the stranger reached me, everything slowed down, and I felt tears welling up. I swallowed hard, realizing I was stuck in that moment, and it was oddly relieving. “You’re right,” I admitted. “I’m running late, and that isn’t fair to you. I’m sorry.”
And I genuinely was. Sorry for my outburst, for the mornings filled with stress and yelling, for allowing busyness to overshadow just being present. Mostly, I regretted not noticing what I was missing in my hurried life.
The man stood there, arms crossed, unsure how to respond. “Just take your time,” he finally said, his voice softening slightly, before he returned to his car and drove away.
In the silence that followed, my heart raced, and tears streamed down my cheeks. “Is that man mad at you, Mommy?” my youngest asked from her booster seat. “Not really,” I replied, lying slightly. “He was just a little frustrated because I was driving too close to him.”
“Are we going to be late?” she asked innocently. “Yep, we are for sure going to be late,” I admitted. “But luckily, we’re not really in a hurry anymore.”
This experience reminded me of the importance of slowing down. If you’re looking for more resources on motherhood and family planning, check out this helpful guide on pregnancy. For those considering starting a family, you might also find interest in the at-home insemination kit and explore options like the fertility booster for men to enhance your journey.
Summary
A hectic morning with her children leads a mother to confront the stresses of her daily routine. When an irate driver urges her to slow down, she realizes the truth in his words, reflecting on the importance of being present and not letting busyness overshadow her life as a mother.
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