One Dad’s Rhymin’ Requests

by David Levin

On Father’s Day each father plans
A morning of sleeping late.
But on his day, Dad finds that he
Just can’t sleep in past eight.

On Father’s Day it’s hammock time.
Pile on newspapers galore
And please don’t worry if I doze,
Dig me out by half-past four.

On Father’s Day that dirty car
Will not be washed by me.
Let Mom and the children do the job,
While I laze beneath a tree.

On Father’s Day the kids all think
Dad probably needs a tie.
But I just want a hug and kiss
(And maybe a new hi-fi).

On Father’s Day the household chores
Well, I refuse to do ‘em.
The lawn, the trash, the dishes?
Let Daddy snooze right through ‘em.

On Father’s Day the ballpark calls
Baseball, the bleachers, the sun.
While Dad is off fetching the snacks…
Crack! Hey, was that a home run?

Father’s Day ends with story time,
The highlight of Dad’s fun day.
We cuddle up, the kids and I,
Without them it’s just Sunday.

Every evening after the children have gone to bed, I like to brew myself a nice soothing cup of tea – honey vanilla chamomile to be precise. Not only is it a delicious de-stresser after a hectic (meaning ordinary) day with my two rugrats, but inspirational too as I was about to discover.

While I waited for the tea to steep, I mindlessly looked at the tea’s packaging, and to my surprise found a lovely inspirational tidbit which actually made my throat rather lumpy. And more importantly offered some very good advice.

Ok, I plea guilty to being a sentimentalist. But I am a Mother, and as all you Moms out there know, anything that even slightly tugs at your heart’s overwhelming love for your children (yes, even the sappiest TV commercials) will get those Mom-emotions going – which should lead you straight to hugging your kids very tightly indeed. Just as I did.

Here it is:

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

“If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d fingerpaint more and point the finger less.

I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I’d teach less about the love of power
And more about the power of love”

Diane Loomans, From Full Esteem Ahead