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.

[Lena M. P.]

Spoken like a true grandparent. Truly enjoyed this poem. We are so into raising the perfect child that we forget to let them be children. By the time we age, we realize, life is too precious to not stop and play in the rain. Haft the fun is getting wet.

[TL Boehm]

this one made me giggle....I am truly alover of puddles. Since I live in the high desert, I don't see many. and when I do I am usually not in a position to jump inthem oh but I want to....peace!

[Donald Meikle]

Took a three year old for a walk after a rain. We jumped in every puddle we found (after I showed him how)
Some memories are always perfect. He's eight now. (All grown up) Thanks

[Dorchadas]

A beautiful reflection Emily
...the magic of hindsight... childhood is so fleeting, but no parent is given an instruction booklet of the dos and don'ts. Funny that the most important job in the world is the one that we get the least training for ;)
A wonderful poem, beautifully written.
...when you're teaching your grandkids to jump in those puddles make sure you have a go too ~grins~

[PianoandPage]

there are times of childish abandon that must be preserved. this is a touching and slightly melancholie piece that really turns around and shows that moments deserve their place and time.

[Dezaraye]

This is such a sweet piece, Emily. Puddles have such a draw for little ones ... animals and people alike. I can't take my puppy for a walk without him jumping on in. I hope that I can be the kind of mother who allows her children those moments, they are precious!

Thank you for sharing this piece, it's precious, Emily.

[angelina neves]

Lovely beautiful sweet reflexions!
My children always jumped in and my grandchild (1year and 6 months) is all most always barefoot and can't see water around with out at least try to jump inside!!! :)

[Angel Bird]

Yes you are sooooo right - would we worry less and have more fun instead - life could be such a great adventure ...

Lovely and thought provoking piece. Thanks for it.

[W.k.kortas]

It's adorable without being saccharine, which is no easy line to tread. Soft, gentle, and winsome.

[Samuel Dickens]

I not only jumped into mud puddles--I even laid down in them. Do you suppose us males have some pig genes in us, and girls don't? Surely it is one of life's great mysteries.