Curb time is high-conflict fuel. When someone is late, lead with ETA and location—not a character review.
Not legal advice. Follow any grace periods or notice rules in your order.
Templates
You’re running late
I’m about [X] minutes behind for the [time] exchange at [location]. New ETA [time]. Sorry for the delay—[Child] will still [brief care plan].
They’re late (first ping)
We’re at [location] for the [time] handoff. Please send an ETA so I can plan for [Child].
They’re late (follow-up)
Still waiting at [location] for the [time] exchange. Please reply with ETA or a new plan by [time]. If I don’t hear back, I’ll [backup plan] for [Child]’s care.
Chronic lateness (boundary, calm)
For exchanges, please text if you’ll be more than 10 minutes late. That helps [Child] not wait. For next week, let’s stick to the written time at [location].
Attack → ETA
Before
“You’re late again and [Child] is crying because you don’t care.”
After
“We’re at the school door for the 3:15 pickup. Please send ETA. Text next time if you’ll be more than 10 minutes late.”
Calm the next message on iPhone
Message Shield · Tone Guardian · rewrites. Free trial · 7 days or 20 messages.
