If the last two years have taught us anything, we have learned that the best-laid plans never go as planned. There are circumstances and surprises that come out of nowhere. In fact, we may be tempted to utter along with Curly, “I’m a victim of circumstance!“
Children and the Best-laid Plans
I thought I had life all figured out until I had children. Planning was easy when my wife and I started our lives together. For the most part, we were on the same page and had similar goals. But when we had kids, I discovered they didn’t always share the same goals like when was the proper bedtime, how to behave at restaurants, and when was the optimal time to begin potty training.
Plans and a Pandemic
Since the pandemic, we have seen most of our goals and plans upended. Few would have predicted when the coronavirus showed up in December 2019 that we would be experiencing stay-at-home orders, working remotely, and practicing social distancing. It felt like our lives had been vandalized by a nasty little virus.
At the time, we hoped that after a few weeks or months, things would go back to “normal.” But after two years, normal has radically changed. It is much like how a couple’s life changes after the birth of their first child. No one can know how their lives change until they are in the middle of it.
Things rarely go according to plan. Yet, it is still good to keep planning. At some point, we’ll be on the other side of this crisis. There will be work to do, people to meet, and preschool classes that will be back in a lovely sort of chaos. Keep the faith, keep planning, and keep dry out there!
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
