Wind-Up Parent

What if you wind up a parent WHAT are you going to see
An adult moving ever so swiftly after you’ve wound up the key
What if you wind up a parent and just keep on turning the key
Crank it too far and there you are with too much responsibility

Running after toddlers running late for school
Shivering with your daughter in the community pool
Baby Beluga is your favourite song—
You find yourself singing it all day long

Of the 500 things you were hoping to do
Now you’re life has come down to discussions of poo
Poo in the diaper, a little poo on the floor
There’s no poo in the toilet but that’s what toilet training’s for
Breast feeding tips you share on your blog
You drink one more coffee to clear out the fog …

And you’re wound up wound up …
Drinking red wine out of a sippy cup
Your baby won’t nap and you’re toddler won’t settle
For all of this work you should be getting a medal
Pile up the dishes mop up the floor
Do a load of laundry run to the store
Changing diapers all day long
Grab another coffee—make it real strong
Readin’ a story now you’re singing a song
Hoping on hope that nothing goes wrong
Cuz you’re wound up wound up
Someone started turning the sound up
Breast-feeding mama trying not to go sour
Wake up to feed em every other hour
You’re tired so tired it’s the middle of the night
Your skin’s feeling loose your clothes feeling tight
Despite it all despite everything you wouldn’t change a single thing

What if you wind up a parent WHO are you going to be
Loving a child with all of your heart—unconditionally
You didn’t know you could love this big 24/7 is the parenting gig
You’re life feels so crazy you’re life feels so good
Running on love and knocking on wood

So now that you’ve wound up a parent—
Your life measured by moments of grace
Crooked grin a teething ring wouldn’t change a thing
For the look on your sleeping child’s face …

Now you’ve wound yourself into a wind up parent
Can’t cover it up cause it’s so transparent
You love the crazybeautiful life you live
Love the crazybeautiful gifts you can give
You’re so darn happy it makes you weep
You just wish you had a little more sleep

Now they’re all grown up but it doesn’t seem easier
Tuition fees climbing and it makes you queasier
Your kids talking about kids of their own
Gonna buy a little house with a great big loan

You’re still a parent but it’s never too late
And the good news is you graduate
Can’t remember all the parenting stuff that you did
And now you’re gonna have—grandkids …