Bit of Encouragement for Parents

I came across this lovely little poem that speaks to the intangible gifts that children provide for us!

It's a nice little read for when we feel "tied down" by our children, when our ambitions seem to exceed the time we have right now to pursue them

We have all been there. Hang on, your children will grow and you will have more time to follow your ambitions and plans.

Until then, read this:

They Tie You Down

"They tie you down," a woman said,
Whose cheeks shoud have been flaming red
With shame to speak of children so.
"When babies come you cannot go
In search of pleasure with your friends,
And all your happy wandering ends.
The things you like you cannot do,
For babies make a slave of you."

I looked at her and said:
"Tis true That Children make a slave of you,
And tie you down with many a knot,
But have you never thought to what
It is of happiness and pride
That little babies have you tied?
Do you not miss the great joys?
That come with little girls and boys?
"They tie you down to laughter rare,
To hours of smiles and hours of care,
to nights of watching and to fears;
Sometimes they tie you down to tears
And then repay you with a smile,
And make you trouble all worth while.

They tie you fast to cubby feet
and cheeks of pink and kisses sweet.
"They fasten you with cords of love
To God divine, who reigns above.
They tie you, whereso'er you roam,
Unto the little place called home,
And over sea or railroad track
They tug at you and bring you back.
The happies people in town
Are those the babies have tied down.
"Oh, go your selfish way and free
But hampered I would rather be,
Yes rather than a kingly crown I would be,
what you term, tied down;
Tied down to dancing eyes and charms,
Held fast by chubby, dimpled arms,
The fettered slave of girl and boy,
And win from them earth's finest joy."

By Edgar Guest