Performance Review

Most days I think I’m doing a decent job with this whole grown-up, parenting gig.  I’ve never been aiming for perfection.  Good enough has always been good enough for me.  I had friends 10+ years ago who ironed their babies’ PJ’s, warmed the baby wipes and anything else the endless supply of mothering books suggested we do.  Me, not so much.  As long as the baby was happy, clean, dressed and fed, I was satisfied.  All in all, that’s still what I’m shooting for.

When I gave up an actual paycheck (along with FICA, income taxes, a cubicle, etc.) 7 years ago, I also gave up annual performance reviews.  And that piece of paper that tells you what you accomplished in the previous year and set certain, concrete goals for the next 365 days.  

Now, who the hell knows?  Hour-to-hour task evaluations are the current standard.  Everyone has clothes on.  Goal Completed.  I showered, put on makeup.  Goal Completed/ Bonus for Makeup.  All four kids clean at the same time.  Goal Completed. No one wet the bed or threw up.  Goal Completed.  

As mothers, we have enough sources of guilt and worry.  I hereby shift my focus to the positive aspects of my job performance to date and set a few long term goals. Go ahead, try it.  It's amazing how the positive can brighten your day.

At the moment, since the closest thing I have to a boss is running around the house wearing only underwear, I must perform my own Performance Review.

Job Performance to Date

I value dinner at home at the table together over the logistics and expense of most after-school activities.

Numbers 1-4 have never acquired a taste for soft drinks and eat whole wheat bread.

I attempt to look decent every day.

Our home environment is generally a fun and entertaining place to be.

Numbers 1-4 say "Please" and "Thank You" most of the time.

I still date my husband.

Numbers 1-4 go to school and to bed willingly 99.9% of the time.

I have friendships that I cherish and nurture.

Future Goals (try to accomplish eventually/ no pressure)

Persuade ¾ of the boys to eat vegetables, other than potatoes, on a regular basis.

Potty train Number 4 by the time he turns 3.

Start wearing more non-black/brown/jeans outfits.

Persuade at least ¾ of the boys to marry someone I like.

Design financial plan to feed 4 teenage boys before they become teenagers.

Reduce the frequency of the Banshee Scream by 50%.

Stay one step ahead of the boys’ technological knowledge.

Produce 4 content and confident sons.

Another day, another story,

Em