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!
Essentially Love Poems 
Pingback: Poem about Parkinson’s | Essentially Love Poems
Pingback: Birth of a Naturalist | Essentially Love Poems
Blimey Sophie, this is so spot on … Makes me a little bit sad
Thanks! I was on a bit of a guilt trip. Such is motherhood!
Pingback: Little Boys | Essentially Love Poems
Pingback: Little Girls | Essentially Love Poems
Hi Sophie. Really Nice. That seems like the way things were now its get the kids to nursery as quickly as possible then back to work! Thank you for wanting to follow my poetry adventures. Very interested in all things Paranormal! Conspiracy theories! And Observing this crazy dangerous society that always seems to be on the brink of disaster! Writing is my passion sharing my many thoughts and poetry stories! Great to meet you. #TheFoureyedPoet.
Hello there. Think we chatted before. Enjoying your poems. 🙂
And I grew up reading everything there was about the paranormal .. always looking to the skies! But as I got older I decided that ‘ordinary’ life is actually extraordinary!
Still an X-Files fan though 😉 Best wishes to you.
Pingback: Slow Down | Essentially Love Poems
Pingback: Time (Read it, then read it from the bottom up) | Essentially Love Poems
Pingback: Hug | Essentially Love Poems
Pingback: Seize the Day | Essentially Love Poems
Oh wow this is adorable, heartbreaking and inspiring. I don’t have children but my oh my does it pull those parental heart strings. Then again I’m 30 and broody so I’m a special case right now 😄
Brilliant piece, love the photos as a a framing device between the stanza. Thr style of this is so achingly cute. Just a wonderful piece. No wonder its gotten a fair bit of attention!!
Thanks very much Cameron. Love that you’re broody and can identify with it.
Mine is over 30 now — this is advice so true!