Lack of Planning on Your Part Doesn’t Equal an Emergency for Me
The other night, one of my kids came rushing into the room in full panic mode: “Dad, I need to print this project! It’s due tomorrow morning!” The problem? It was 9:18 p.m., the printer was out of ink, and the closest store had closed at 9. I asked the obvious question: “When did you get the assignment?” Answer: “Last week.”
This led to a conversation that all parents eventually have: a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.
According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 94% of teens (we are almost there) report being stressed by schoolwork, and a top contributor is procrastination. But stress isn’t always about workload—often it’s about poor time management. And when those habits spill over into others' schedules, it can erode trust and create avoidable pressure.
That night became a teachable moment—not just about missing a deadline, but about how to avoid the problem in the first place. We discussed a few key principles:
Planning Ahead: Break large assignments into smaller tasks, and use a calendar or task app to spread them out over time.
Communicating Early: If a printer, laptop, or help is needed—ask ahead. Waiting until the last minute limits everyone’s options.
Taking Ownership: Emergencies do happen, but they should be rare. If everything feels like a crisis, that’s a sign of a system problem, not bad luck.
I also shared how this shows up at work. In professional settings, last-minute requests—especially when they’re avoidable—undermine team dynamics. They create friction and prevent others from doing their best work. Deadlines are shared responsibilities. So is preparation.
Back to our project night: the assignment didn’t get printed, and the grade took a small hit (still in 5th grade… not major issue here). But I’m okay with that. A short-term consequence can lead to a long-term change in behavior. My goal isn’t to shield my kids from every bump—it’s to help them build the tools to navigate around them.
Real emergencies happen…because life happens. And they should be the exception (and where I am glad to do whatever is necessary). But most of the time, we don’t live “emergency to emergency.” Planning, communicating, and thinking ahead? That’s how we stay out of “crisis mode”—and out of someone else’s 9 p.m. scramble.
