“My child is always late.  He’s late to school. He’s late getting home. Time does not seem to be important to my child.”

Frustrated Parent 

It’s important for parents to teach their children the importance of “time” before they begin school.  Parents who allow their children to be late for activities that have set times are only setting them up for many life activities that require an individual to be “on time.”

Many people in our society believe that a person who is late is being rude and discourteous to others who have to wait due to tardiness.  Many states include tardiness to school as an unexcused absence that could place the child in truancy proceedings in court.  Adults who are habitually late may lose their job.

Below are some parenting guidelines to help your child be on time.

· Sit down with your child and tell him or her the importance of being on time.
· Set an example for your child by being on time for the activities that you are involved in.  Show your child that you are organized.  Keep a calendar with dates and times.
· When your child is striving to stay on time, help him or her by reducing distractions (TV, radio, games etc.) that may interfere with them being on time.
·  Allow natural consequences to occur when your child is late.  Your child may have to miss going to a friends house, attending a sports activity or going to see a movie if he or she is late.  Use positive consequences too!  Tell your child that she can have a friend over after school if she’s on time to school.
· Do not allow your child to use the “snooze” button when he has to get out of bed on time.  Set the alarm clock across the bedroom when he has to get out of bed to turn off the alarm.
· Get your child into a daily routine.  When your child gets up and goes to bed at the same time each day and has regular activities on a similar time basis, life for the child becomes more simplified.
· Don’t make excuses for your child’s tardiness.  Hold your child accountable by letting the child face natural consequences.  If this means they have detention at school, miss playing in an activity or making it to a job on time, let it happen.  The lesson learned will often help the child to avoid being late next time.
· Encourage your child with to get ready the day before.  Set clothes out.  Have materials ready to go.
· Encourage your child to keep a planner.  Many middle schools require planners or agenda notebooks.  Have your child use this planner to keep times and dates listed along with school assignments.  Post-It notes may also be used and placed in a child’s bedroom, refrigerator or other commonly seen places for the child to see as a reminder to avoid being late.