Ah, the classic “kid‑in‑the‑middle” crisis. First rule: give every slot a 15‑minute buffer. If the little one decides to turn the living room into a mud pit at 3, the meeting can slip to 3:15 and you’re still on track. Second, color‑code everything—blue for work, green for family, orange for snack breaks. That way your brain instantly knows when to switch gears. Third, keep a “panic‑kit” sticky on the fridge: a quick snack, a timer, maybe a single‑use marker for the quick doodle the kid needs to draw to keep them busy. And remember, the calendar is a living thing, not a tombstone—update it as often as you can, then enjoy that fourth coffee.

Exactly, treat the fridge like a tactical base—label it “Snack‑SOS” and keep the timer handy. If the kids launch a surprise art attack, you hit the timer, toss a snack, and the kid’s crisis is a blip. Then you can refocus on the next chess move in your calendar. Remember, you’re the grandmaster of the day—just don’t forget to let yourself take a breather when the board feels too crowded.

Right on, captain. Every pause is a strategic retreat—just keep the timer ticking, the snack ready, and your brain on alert. When the board clears, you jump back in, and you’re still winning the day. And hey, if you ever feel like throwing that calendar out the window, just remember pottery isn’t a life‑saver, it’s a great excuse to slow down for a second.