Dec 03 2008
A Little Procrastination Goes A Long Way
This ADDer (ADDaddy) is a stay-home Dad of a 2 1/2 yr old and a 10 month old. It is not an easy job for even the most organized person. Throw ADD into the picture, and you have challenges on top of hurdles on top of angst … and the list goes on. I am the non-ADD wife. I work full-time. Day care was not an option for us, so this arrangement works well, and ADDaddy is an awesome father.
For the record, this blog is NOT meant to be an outlet for me, the spouse of an ADDer. It is intended to provide support, or enlightenment for others with similar ADD experiences.
PROCRASTINATION is not condusive to anything, let alone parenting. There are many levels of procrastination, and putting off doing the dishes until you have to wash a plate to eat dinner is a 3. While maybe not a 10, the following tale of procrastination is up there.
ADDaddy (not actually a Dad yet when this happened) had a beat up little car that you would have to pay someone to steal! Tags were about to expire - no hurry yet. Tags expired - ok, probably should renew tags pretty soon. Tags expired a month ago - really need to renew tags. Tags expired 2 months ago - no need to renew them really, I use the wife’s car now, save the money. Tags really really expired - apartment complex threatens to tow cars with expired tags. Car’s GONE! Like I said, nobody would steal it, so we assume it’s been towed. So now, instead of putting off renewing tags, ADDaddy is putting off getting the car back and paying the fine. Trouble is, more procrastination = larger fine. 375 dollars later, the fine is split with a buddy who agrees to buy the car for the $187.50. ADDaddy is left in the hole one car, and $187.50.
One thing common among ADDers, so I’ve learned from attending support groups with ADDaddy, is the inability to learn from these types of experiences. Everyone knows you mustn’t procrastinate, but only a worry wart like this non-ADDer could have foreseen an outcome like that. The ability to push a deadline to the point of absurdity is as frustrating to me as passing exits on the interstate when the gas gauge is below the “E”. It’s not that ADDaddy doesn’t know something bad could happen as a result of avoidance and procrastination. Knowing bad things could happen, is what shuts down part of ADDaddy’s brain in order to avoid the anxiety caused by the procrastination.
Oh yes, remember I originally set up this blog for ADDaddy to post to every day? He’s been reading my posts. I’m curious to see how long it takes for his first post. I love you honey!
