Natasha, could you please clean your room
It’’s been messy for a while
“But mom, I don’’t need to
I like my room messy right now!”

“Tidiness is over rated
I can still find all the things I want
My clothes may be on the floor
But I can still find them and put them on”

“Mommy, please don’’t talk to me
I’m thinking
Not, I don’’t want to tell you what I’’m thinking about
I need to be left alone to day dream
Let’’s talk another time”

How was school today, Natasha?
“I didn’’t see any hippos in the hall”
What was your favorite class today?
“Gym, then recess and then lunch!”

What a rough morning it is
Nicki, you need to do your homework at night
Now, you are asking me to help you
But I have other things on my mind

“Mommy, you can’’t complain
For this, you yourself signed up
No one made you have kids
Don’’t ask for sympathy, right now”

Natasha, dear, when you’re older
And have a child
I’’ll remind you for what you signed up!

“Mommy, can you make me lunch
And make me a good sandwich this time
I’’m tired of bagel and cheese and ham
Could you find something else this time?

My friends bring these amazing things for lunch
And I get the same thing all the time
Could I please have some variety”?

Why don’’t you make your own lunch!?

And so it goes
Each day something new
Children will always surprise you!
But I’m happy I signed up for it
Because in the end, it’’s all worthwhile

Lida Beghuis
January 28th, 2011