Parenthood

Shortly after the birth of our first daughter, I penned the 'poem' ‘Parenthood’.

“Oh, isn’t she cute, isn’t she lovely

I also want a beautiful baby!”

Most young people jealously exclaim.

Little do they know what parenthood entails….

The shitty nappies, the sleepless nights, the seemingly endless wails.

Parenthood isn’t all it’s pepped up to be

It requires lots and lots of patience and energy

Energy to keep little one amused and happy

Energy to make bottles, feed baby and change the nappy.

The patience required is much more than one would anticipate.

You can sit for hours trying to get her to eat baby food

And when you make your own supper, she eats it off your plate.

If baby decides she wants to play late at night,

There’s no way you’ll get her to sleep, try as you might.

When baby is ill, you can’t calm her by simply giving her a pill

You have to rock and pacify her and sing her a song,

And probably go without sleep all night long.

Fortunately, parenthood has its positive side

A little child can fill one with so much joy and pride.

Those hugs and kisses, giggles and expressions

Even the way she acts and attempts impressions;

The way she amuses herself and plays the fool

The way people watch her and with jealousy drool.

The first time that you hear her talk,

The first time that you see her walk;

All these things make parenthood worthwhile

And help you to be happy and smile,

Knowing that little one will for a long time be

Daddy’s joy, daddy’s pride, daddy’s immortality.

Then along came ‘Baby Number Two’.

While the cat’s away the mice will play

Baby number two is on its way.

Initially, what a shock this news did bring,

But thereafter with joy we did sing….

To know that we are oh so blessed

To be again endowed with life’s gift best.

What a joy it is to me

That we will now not only be three;

That we will not be an ‘’odd’ family any more,

But rather a good, wholesome, happy four!

Be it a girl, be it a boy

No matter what, I am filled with joy

At the prospect of again becoming a daddy

And to know that we have accomplished it, you and me.

Oh, my darling, you fill my soul,

You cause the happiness to overflow from my life’s bowl;

For without you it would not be true

That we would now be preparing for baby number two.

To the gracious Lord I extend my humble request

That my dearest wife and child by You be blessed,

So that we will have another healthy child

And be able to bring him or her up gracious and not wild.

We know that without you it would not be s

That we would not the joy of another child know;

This is why to you we give our appreciation

Enough so to happily provide for the whole nation.

As our second child turned out to be a boy, this was shortly thereafter followed by ‘Sons and Daughters’.

Every father dreams of having a son

Once he has accomplished this, he feels his duty is done.

This is because he wants his name to be carried on into perpetuity

To somehow conquer life and claim a form of immortality.

Little does he know that a son will not be his toy

As most sons grow up to be a ’Mommy’s boy’.

He will be needed to help his son become a man,

But somehow he’ll always be his mommy’s greatest fan.

That’s when a father needs a little girl

Who dotes over him and around her little finger does him twirl?

Sure, she’ll give him a hard time and many grey hairs

But at least he will be part of her daily affairs.

It’s strange how these things work, but life is like that

A family will be very fortunate if all can openly chat

The key must be to be there for both son and daughter

And not to favour one at the risk of being one shorter.

So, to all you potential fathers out there wishing for a son,

Make sure you can spread yourself evenly before the deed is done.

A family is something that you must cherish above all

And remember that motto “together we stand, divided we fall.”