This morning, during a surface-clearing interval in my studio, I found the little ditty below. It was held with a magnet to our basement fridge, under a photograph. I offer it to you, dear readers, as a little something to smile at today. If you are like me, you have already cried in front of the television at least a few times.
It was written in haste, I’m sure, during the very, very hectic years of raising the boys. It is silly, and it also contains a few truths (I’ll say no more about that!!) It somehow captures (better than most scribblings of that era) what my life was like then. It was part reaction to all the advice people love to give you when you are a young parent, part reaction to a lot of the syrupy things one can read in print about being a parent, and part reaction to the boys themselves.
Not Quite a Prayer for Parents
Try not to kill your kids
scream when they scream
change rules daily
ketchup is a vegetable and belching is
to be encouraged
buy all the toys
TV works so do seat belts
give them lots of love
let them see you mad medication is
an option — for all parties
celebrate victories
[photo taken at the historic Ropes Mansion Garden in Salem, MA yesterday. These girls’ mother was sitting in the shade of a crab apple tree nearby while I took their picture]
I love it!
Beautiful post, Dee. Just what is needed for a sad day – silly, cheery and sweet. Love it! Especially “scream when they scream” Perfect.