Babies Don't Keep

Recently, my Grandma sent me a poem that I think of often in the busy hustle and bustle of my life. It is such a good reminder to me that this stage of fussy babies, endless diaper changes and mountains of laundry is going to fade away someday. I want to remember the joys of this time of my life too--the sweet baby coos and smiles and the fun of seeing each new stage of development.

I think about it with my older kids too. Just this week they have started reading a few simple words. What a huge milestone!--yet so easy to move on and forget the pride on their faces when they learn something new.

This poem brings me back to what's important--pretty much everything else can wait. :)

Babies Don’t Keep
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton


Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.


Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.


Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo


The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.


The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.