We took the kids to see Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day yesterday. They liked it, but I loved it. I thought it was hilarious. Even before the family got to the day in question, I was already scheduling their activities in my head.

So they have a driver’s test, a prom, a school play, a birthday party, a book launch, and a job interview… all tomorrow?

I found it so funny because that sort of scheduling actually happens. Sometimes our family calendar has to be expanded to fit the entire, giant Mac screen, just because there are so many items on each day. Colour coded, of course. Stop at the bank (Min), car shopping with a friend (Min), buy groceries (me), phone meeting (me), buy new leggings before evening event (me), make dinner before noon because there’s no time after (me), cross-country practice (both kids, drop off by me, pick up by Min), followed by soccer practice (Min and one kid), with dinner in between (everyone), then evening work event (me). Yikes!

Sometimes, it’s best to look only one hour ahead on the calendar. And often, it’s best not to look at the calendar at all until at least an hour of writing is done.

Most days don’t fall apart. Most of them run just fine, without nearly the vehicle damage experienced in the movie.

But watching that fictional family cope yesterday made me think… maybe when cities are creating emergency response teams, they shouldn’t bother with the firefighters and paramedics. Maybe they should go right for the parents.