DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Sometimes I think it is because we grew up in very different environments, but my wife is hopeless when it comes to time management. She is from Georgia and I grew up in Rhode Island.
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We culture clash on many things, but her never being on time for anything and her taking three times as long to do a thing as I think is necessary can be real sources of irritation to me.
I love how gentle and kind she is and ironically how she is able to relax and enjoy things more than I do. But how do I get her to understand the importance of being on time more often than not? --- NEVER ON TIME
DEAR NEVER ON TIME: It’s encouraging to hear you’re able to appreciate some of your wife’s approaches to life in general, even if her lack of staying on a schedule frustrates you.
I can easily see how a New Englander and a Southerner have very different notions of ideal paces, and I agree that’s something you and she need to try to find common ground on.
Rather than just expressing your exasperation, you might try calmly explaining to your wife how important it is to you to be on time for specific events. In return, you may find it less stressful if you cut her some slack for other things that require less specific punctuality or completion times.