Much flapping in the Vicarage this morning. The Vicar and I had put the lights out too late last night. Note to self: Christians on their way to heaven get to bed before eleven. As a result we were late up this morning and not chivvying the kids as early as usual.
We seemed to be getting away with it – it was 8.15am, the boys were downstairs and dressed and the Queen, so it was thought, was dressed but on the loo upstairs. We have to be out of the door at 8.40am at the latest.
Then it all started to go wrong. The Engineer had a meltdown because he wanted to practice the piano before his breakfast. As it was already 8.20am we suggested he eat first. Major strop. Then it was 8.25am and the Queen was still absent. I called up and she appeared out of the toilet. In her pjs. She’d been reading.
Following coaxing and flapping in equal measure we managed to make school just as the whistle went in the playground at 8.45am. Phew, we did it. But not everyone did.
Just as I see every morning, as I headed back home at 8.50am many stragglers were appearing down the slope that leads to the school gate. Some were with parents and being hurried, others with parents who mooched. And some kids were strolling along on their own.
When I spot kids on their own who lack a sense of urgency I like to encourage them to get one. ‘Chop, chop you’re late’ is my normal cry. It’s not always effective. But this morning I had success with a gang of lads who I see almost every morning as I head back.
‘I’ll time you – see if you can make it down to the gate in 20 seconds’ I said. It was wonderful to see them pelting down to school. They were only a few minutes late, but they are learning the habit of lateness and a lack of respect for school rules. I never see a parent with them. I’m sad for these boys and suspect that they are going to struggle to bridge the growing gap between rich and poor, reported by the National Equality Panel this morning.
At the bottom of the BBC’s report there is a graph which shows much inequality is ‘unexplained’. I wonder how much correlation you could find between a lateness and absenteeism record in primary school and future success.
The Vicar's Wife 
That all sounds too familiar.
The sort of slowbedience we get in the morning is insanely frustrating.
We’re trying to explain the need to do what we’re told with a happy heart, but the explanation which comes through gritted teeth is slightly ironic.
We’re currently looking at ‘Shepherding a child’s heart’ (http://www.amazon.com/Shepherding-Childs-Heart-Tedd-Tripp/dp/0966378601) which is really helpful in reminding us to be more concerned with the underlying spiritual state of our kids, and their realationship with Jesus than simply getting them do tick the generally accepted boxes of how a good child ought to behave.
There is an intresting clip here
http://justbento.com/video-get-your-kid-ready-school-and-bento-less-5-minutes
that demonstatres how the Japanese get round this problem and get their child ready for school in less than 5 minutes.
It doesn’t exaplain how you do it if you have more than one though..
Hi Peter and Iconoclast.
Lovely to see you here and thanks for the comments.
I like the ‘slowbedience’ phrase – it describes much of the behaviour here! It’s a while since we read Tedd Tripp, but maybe we should revisit. ‘All the way, right away, with a happy heart’ we chant but it’s not always effective… This morning we started a chart to encourage morning liveliness which worked today. We’ll see if it continues…
I *loved* the video and am going to blog it now to make sure more people see it!
I wonder whether there are any links between that simple meal called “breakfast” and progress at school – and through to progress later in life. At our local primary they have started serving breakfast for those arriving between 8 and 8.40 for the before-school care, as the staff had a hunch that some of those who come don’t have anything to eat before leaving home. It will be interesting to hear if the teachers notice any difference in how well the children concentrate.
Christians on their way to Heaven,
Get to bed befor eleven,
Sinners, on their way to Hell,
Go later, are too fat, and smell.
This is politically incorrect (fatism, odourism) but likely to have beneficial effects as it stigmatises obesity and a failure to wash.
Just trying to be (un)helpful!