I have often referred to Flexible Parent Time – I’m sure I’ve read about it in a book somewhere, where it basically means that if you say you’ll be somewhere at 10am, you could arrive at any point between 8am and 12 noon and no one will think anything of it. Here’s an example of it in practise:
Before Children:
I’ll see you at 10am meant either:
1. I’ll be there at 9.50am, and will get the coffee’s in.
2. I’ll either be there at 9.50am (see 1) or at 10.10am, because I will have been having some frankly fabulous Saturday morning shenanigans with the other half. You can still get the coffee in if you’re there first.
After Children:
I’ll see you at 10am means either:
1. I’ll be there at 8.30am, because we got up at 5am and the little twinkle needs what they think is their mid morning nap. I’ll get you coffee when you text me that you are en route because I’ll be busy eating all the carbs and savoury snacks the coffee shop sells.
2. I’ll be there at 9.50am, will realise I’ve forgotten kit the baby needs / my phone / my handbag and will return home to get back to you, for 10.30am, crying, dishevelled and with a confused, tired and het up baby/toddler in tow who has been wearing a coat that makes them too hot, in the car since 8.30am. They’ll be hot, because I will have had the heating on full blast – because I can’t find a coat myself and don’t want to rock up with my nibs sticking through my bra.
3. I’ll potentially not turn up at all. Because I may have forgotten we were meeting, or I’ve been up since 5am and fallen asleep whilst the toddler watches Mr Tumble on CBeebies.
4. I’ll arrive at 10.40am, just as you are giving up on me and leaving, because it’s all gone to rat shit at home – even though the day started out well, and was still going to plan when we texted to confirm at 8am. It’s amazing how quickly things can unravel, isn’t it?
Can’t think of anything else right now, but I’m sure it will come to me 🙂
What does Flexible Parent Time mean to you?
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