Ideally, Mum

Laughter,

Drawing,

Time to play.

Cajoling when things don’t go their way.

Team work,

Helping,

Who needs what?

Feeding,

Chattering,

Pairing odd socks.

Cheering,

Supporting,

Being there when?

Picking up,

Dropping off,

Really knowing the friends.

Counting,

Division,

Watching them learn.

Birthday lists,

Making cakes,

Preventing the burns.

Teaching resourcefulness,

Independence,

Grace,

But going berserk when they win the race.

Signatures,

Diaries,

Letters, e-mails.

Surviving their morning pace of a snail.

Snacks,

Team sheets,

Snacks.

More snacks.

Water bottles,

Shin guards,

Taking the flack.

Questions relentless,

Anytime of day.

Interruptions a-plenty

What does google say?

Forward-planning to the next school break;

Activities,

Holiday clubs,

Sleepovers, play dates.

Tucking in,

Getting up,

Finding the tie.

Teaching the art of the little white lie.

Shopping,

Shopping,

Shopping some more.

Knowing when to just ignore.

Progress, not perfection.

Just try your best.

Re-washing the favourite bobbly vest.

Eyes on,

Ears on,

Heart and brain full.

Knowing you’ll never ever be cool

Listening actively,

Availably here,

Building them up.

Knocking down fears.

Giving the go ahead to give it a go,

Saying yes lots and

Knowing when’s no.

Believing,

Trusting,

Hoping you’re making it,

Never really knowing,

But amazingly faking it.

November 18