Bernice Baker

Motherhood/motherhood

I am a mother,

And a mother must always do their best.

I don’t will my children

To read their books to me quicker 

At bedtime

I never let them go for more

Than three days 

Without a bath,

I always check their teeth

After brushing without fail,

I always present home-cooked, organic,

Nutritionally balanced, perfect portions

For them each day,

They only ever watch screens for limited periods,

Education-related content only,

They always go to bed at the age-appropriate time,

Their clothes always fit and never have holes,

I don’t begrudge homework,

Or the battle to get them to

Just sit down and do it 

Every

Single 

Weekend.

If they’re not doing homework

Or swimming or cricket,

Or clarinet or 

Learning languages,

Then we’re playing board games, baking,

Drawing, practising times tables,

Listening to each other,

Appreciating each moment, always;

Laughing,

Never exasperated,

Never snippy;

Always happy to be a mother.

Yes, I am a mother.

Just trying to do their best

Most of the time.

I don’t even know if I fully

Believe that as

I know all the corners I’ve cut today

Just so I can get to the part

Where I get to 

Stare at a screen

On my own

And switch my brain on to

Autopilot.

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