Are You a Sorted Parent?

Find out where your strengths lie. There are no right answers. Click on the ones that sound most like you.

Q.1) You are about to set off for school and, as usual, everyone needs loads of kit. In the ten minutes before you leave you:

a) Finish your coffee. Everything got laid out the night before, you’ve done the packed lunches and your children are nearly ready to go.
b) Rush around like a madwoman. Where has the time gone? Why has one trainer mysteriously disappeared? You aren’t dressed yet and haven’t brushed your hair.
c) Get up early to organise the schoolbags, but resent everyone relying on you. One more, ‘Muuuum, where are my trainers?’ and you’ll explode.
d) Are calm if everything goes to plan. But if something unexpected comes up – your daughter needs a pixie costume TODAY – you seriously lose it.
e) Remind your kids you’re all leaving in ten minutes. They know the system – you can’t be late for work – so miraculously they get themselves organised in time.

Q. 2) You’re going on a long car journey and will be cooped up with the kids for at least six hours. You:

a) Discuss it several days beforehand. You explain the rules (seatbelts buckled, no fighting) and get their ideas (story tapes, snacks, window seat rota).
b) Make a million To Do lists, kill yourself doing all the packing and then have to chivvy your reluctant family into the car.
c) Leave late, piling last minute plastic bags in wherever they’ll fit. The children fight in the car for hours about who’s sitting where and what c.d. to play.
d) Get irritated because you have to turn around after 20 minutes because your daughter forgot her swimming costume and your son forgot his iPod.
e) Talk to them about the journey the day before, asking them for good ideas about how they are meant to behave in the car, and writing them all down.

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