Moving the goal post

I know. It's been over a month since I last posted. I used to write three or four blog posts a week. I used to know how many hits my blog received each day and how many followers I had.

Now, not so much.

See that picture of my kids at the top of the page? It's from almost three years ago. I would change it, but the truth is, I don't even remember how I created that header in the first place.

In the past I would have considered this a failure. Now? I've moved the goal post. I can't make it 100 yards. I can try, but I will fail. So I move the goal post closer. Fifty yards? That may be too far still. I think I'll put it at the 30 yard line, and if I pass it, all the better.

It's not just in blogging; I've moved the goal posts on pretty much every field. Work. Housekeeping. Parenting.

For example, a former goal may have looked something like this: We will have a fun and exciting family game night wherein we will all love being together and during which my children will realize how lucky they are to have each other.

My new goal: We will have a family game night, and no one will die.

Former goal: Keep a clean house with a place for everything and everything in its place.

New goal: Keep the kitchen clean and never use the same bathroom my sons use.

Former goal: Do several loads of laundry each day so it doesn't pile up. Have children help fold and put away all of their own clothes.

New goal: Find two socks of the same size for each person every morning. Matching not required. Cleanliness merely preferred.

Former goal: Cook healthy meals for my family every night, preferably assisted by sweet little hands that can reach the counter only by using a step-stool. Lovingly watch my adorable offspring pour and stir and mix.

New goal: We will not eat pizza every night. My children are allowed back in the kitchen when they turn fifteen.

Former goal: I will read to or with my children every night, and they will develop a lifelong love of reading just like I did as a kid.

New goal: Ask them to recite the alphabet from time to time to make sure they haven't forgotten it.

See? It's all about setting attainable goals. Now excuse me while I go see if those socks my kids threw in the general directi0n of their clothes hamper are really all that dirty.