"Maybe When the Kids are Older..."

I started writing this poem as a way to keep perspective when the house always feels chaotic and I'm feeling guilty about being behind on my daily "chores." But as I wrote, I realized that, honestly and truly, I am going to miss this phase of life so much when it is over. All the "complaints" and difficulties that come with these baby and toddler years are really not so bad. I read somewhere this past week that there is never truly a "smooth-sailing" time in your life. And I realized, it must be true. I have always told myself, "Well when this happens" or "When we finally settle here" or so on that things will be "easier," but I don't think that's true. What we have now is our normal, it might not stay that way for long, but right now this is our life and instead of pining away the time I should be celebrating because time never stops, it's always moving forward, and one day, I'll miss this:

"Maybe When the Kids are Older..." 

the dishes will be done at the end of the day

the books and the toys will be all put away 

the middle of the night crying will stop

my main piece of clothing won't be a nursing top. 

I could go to the bathroom all by myself

all the breakables won't have to be on the top shelf 

I could go for a walk without causing a fuss

I could come back inside without tears and a muss. 

When we eat they just might cut up their own food

and clean their own mess up, wouldn't that be good? 

I won't read "The Ear Book" six times a day

I'll understand all the words that they say! 

But, oh, those things most surely can wait! 

We can go to bed early & sleep in till eight! 

That doesn't mean we're asleep the whole time
but the rocking and snuggles are sometimes sublime. 

When you reach for my hand with a smile on your face

you're saying, "Mommy, I want to take you some place!" 

Sometimes I hesitate, I have something to do

but I can't waste this time, you're going to be 2!

The dishes, the laundry, they don't HAVE to be done

we can dance, read, and snuggle, make memories of fun. 

The kids will grow up, and the house might stay clean

but today, little one, let's play and let's dream! 

To life... full of the day-by-day living!