The Art Of Planning….and Letting GO
I really love to plan ahead. The more I can anticipate, the calmer I feel — because it means I can do things at my pace instead of in last-minute chaos mode.
But let’s be honest: with a family of five, the “unforeseen” isn’t the exception — it’s the daily routine.
Sure, I can pack and prepare the bag for a day out the night before… but I can’t predict the mood of my kids, or the fact that someone will have a bad dream (or three), leaving me doing night shifts between bedrooms. And of course, kids don’t sleep in after a rough night — they wake up at the same time, just grumpier. Which means my mood isn’t much better either.
So yes, being prepared helps. But the real challenge? Getting everyone out of the house while keeping meltdowns to a minimum. Easier said than done.
A few weeks back was a perfect example. For months, our youngest had been begging to visit the aquarium. I had it all planned — checked the website, packed snacks, chose outfits, set the timing — project Aquarium Day was ready to roll.
The night before had already been a preview of chaos — bad dreams, bathroom trips, and the 3 a.m. “Mom, my blanket feels weird” conversation. By sunrise, caffeine was my only survival strategy.
Morning arrived, and let’s just say the chaos continued its sequel. Slow breakfast, endless negotiations about socks with my son, and a daughter who decided now was the perfect moment to dress up like a princess and start an urgent debate about whether the aquarium had a stamp rally. Spoiler: I checked. It didn’t.
By the time I looked at Google Maps, our “one-hour” drive had turned into 90 minutes. Lunch was approaching fast, and I knew that between traffic, the pricey entrance fee, and everyone’s energy levels, we’d barely have two hours inside before meltdown o’clock.
And honestly? Seeing the general mood, I was pretty sure that the missing stamp rally could turn into a full-blown crisis. I really didn’t want to pay that entrance fee just to end up debating the absence of stamps instead of watching the fish — which, call me old-fashioned, seems to be the main attraction of an aquarium. Though, to be fair, three-year-olds follow a logic of their own.
So we pivoted. Aquarium postponed. Cue disappointed faces all around — mine included. But after explaining the situation and suggesting a new plan — a family walk to the park and the ice cream shop — peace was restored.
And guess what? Plan B was exactly what we needed that day.
We had lunch at home, the kids rode their bikes, we got some fresh air, and finished the day with ice cream and smiles. By evening, everyone was happy, calm, and ready for the week ahead.
If we’d stubbornly stuck to the original plan, yes, we’d have “ticked the box.” But sometimes, realizing that today isn’t the right day for that box is the best project management decision you can make.
In project management terms, my “scope” was the aquarium visit. I had a timeline, a budget (tickets, parking), and a clear objective. But then came the risks — bad night, cranky morning, traffic jam. Suddenly, time and energy costs outweighed the benefit. So, I adjusted the scope and changed the plan. The new deliverable became “family walk + ice cream,” and everyone signed off after a bit of stakeholder negotiation (also known as convincing the kids).
Last weekend, we finally made it to the aquarium — well-rested, relaxed, and with much better timing. The visit was lovely, and keeping that promise mattered to me. It wasn’t canceled, just postponed — because a true project manager knows: commitment still counts, even when adjustments are necessary.
But that… is a topic for next time.
