Apology to my Daughters

playing, just playing

I should have taught you the proper way

to jump in water puddles

and not worried so much

about how much your shoes cost

or if you would get dirty.

 

I learned my lesson well

and when you have daughters;

I will, laughing, teach them to JUMP.

I might even help them

take their sandals off first.

Author's Note

Dressed in my funny clothes on Saturday, I met two of the sweetest little toddler girls. No matter how much I smiled or how many times I showed them how they weren't quite sure they wanted to jump in. Big brother did, though, several times. Made me wonder why I missed that with my kids . . .

Reviews

[Raef C. Boylan]

Ah...grandparent indulgence. Some people view it as parental revenge haha.

I'm thinking a few commas/semi colon in the second stanza might help with pace:
"I learned my lesson well;
and when you have daughters
I will, laughing, teach them to JUMP."

Maybe not. See what you think.

It's appealing in its simple sincerity and reflection. I liked.
I'm a sucker for a little story in a poem - especially one with a punchline-esque final line haha.

[Tony Hwilka]

Very warn and a poem only a mother could write. It seems mothers for some reason put themselves down when it comes to their own children. That they are not good enough, Emily 99% of mothers are great people as your are. Some children seem to have a way of making their mothers feel that way. I loved your poem . You do not owe you daughters an apolopy. I would change the title "To My Daughters". Of course what do I know of motherhood I am only a father.

[SM Davis]

We have a tendancy as mothers to hold the umbrella much too tight in hopes of preventing our children from getting wet. The over-protection only serves to build resentment as they grow older. Put down the umbrella and let them make their own puddles.

[Kitty]

This is beautiful! Made me think a lot about whether or not I would have been a good enough mother to my daughter - to teach her to enjoy life like I never did.

Great poem, Emily. AWESOME!!!!

Josie

[Tomás Ó C..]

Such is life... sometimes we miss the fun a bit of undiscipline brings....

[Mysty Rayn]

As a mother of a 2 year old girl, this really made me think. I wanted to take her out in her dress shoes to find a puddle. Thank you for putting a smile on my face.

[Zatoichi]

i think that creative minds take the moments missed, the disappontments and pain, and make lasting art
excavating that enormous hole in the heart
and finding gold.

[Emily Rose]

Despite how short it is, you tell a wonderful story enclosed in only a few words. It looks back at your own childhood, I think and reflects the wisdom that you've gained through the years: now you know how when and how to teach the little ones to enjoy life more and to worry less. This is great sentiment. Thanks for sharing!

[Debbie_Philly]

This is adorable !!! What a fun write !!

[Ms Jessica Renee]

How quaint. I absolutely adored your poem. It brought about a smile to face, bravo my dear.

[Stephen Ownby]

I like it, simple... just like the idea you are trying to champion.