Slow down, it’s not too late

Leave the dishes, they can wait

He’s asking you if you want to play

Don’t say no and turn away.

I must cook your tea now little one

I have to finish cleaning now I have begun.

He walks away, you carry on

He’ll soon stop asking, he’ll soon be grown.

He pulls your trousers and says please play

But you’re trying to put his things away

I can’t right now, my precious one

Just wait a while and I will be done.

But later comes and it’s time for tea

Bath time next and bed you see

You must learn that he won’t stay 

This little for long and want you to play.

Put down the saucepan and run outside

You can count while he tries to hide.

He’ll remember this and so will you

These precious moments are oh, so few.

Copyright  © Sophie Harrington (2015)

More of my poems for parents: Back to School and Birth of a Naturalist

My poem was also published on Netmums website http://www.netmums.com/children/slow-down-a-poem-for-parents

It had a great reaction on Netmums’ Facebook page, with almost 1,400 likes and 545 shares on that site alone!