Babies Don't Keep!

   Today, I sat down and tried to figure out all the things I had to do today. Nothing gets done unless I write it down on my list and commit to it! The house was of course my first priority since it looked so dreadful. That load of towels that has sat in the washing machine for 2 or 3 days HAS to be washed once again and then maybe I'll remember to get them out (don't judge me, you don't have it all together either!). The list could go on for forever and the question is, when does it stop? The answer is simply this, it doesn't.
   I looked down at my feet and my one and two year old was tugging at my skirt, longing for me to hold them. My son grabbed my finger and pulled me to their playroom because they wanted to play with the toys with their mommy. I felt so selfish for not spending more time with them, even though I am home with them. Feeding them, clothing them, bathing them, and buying them all they want isn't all they need. They need someone to teach them how to have fun too. I've miserably failed on that part I'm afraid.
   I find that when you enter a child's play room, watch them play, and join them in their fun, you enter their realm. You really find out how much they know and understand. You really get to know them! Needless to say, I'm not slaving in the kitchen right now or taking on any other tasks for the moment. My babies are not going to be little forever. I'm playing with them in their world of hotwheels, books, and dollies. I'm trying to see the world through their little eyes.
   It's okay sometimes to lay aside the chores until later and invest some time into your children's lives. As bad as I need to take care of my disaster of a house, it can wait for a little while!

"Babies Don’t Keep"

By Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

"Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing, make up the bed,

Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew

And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo

But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo

Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?

Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow

But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!

I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep."