She grabs my hands, and swings them around. Won’t you dance with me, Mama? We giggle together, enjoying the moment.

He pulls on my leg, and reaches up with gooey-animal-cracker-chubby hands… and grins from ear to ear. Won’t you pick me up, and cuddle with me, Mama? I take my hands out of the sudsy sink and grab a towel. I hold him, cheek to cheek. He lingers long. I let out a peaceful sigh.

I need your help. Can I sit on your lap? Read me this book, won’t you? I know, she exclaims! Let’s have a a beach party (as snow is falling fast on the hard ground outside my window). She lays a blanket down, and invites me to play make believe. Have a picnic. Run from bears and gorillas. Play dress up. Make a fort. Play with dolls. Kick a ball.

So won’t you, weary Mama? It may mean a messy home, but it will be a happy haven. So get down on the ground, play often, embrace tight, smile big. Won’t you?

A happy child is not one that gets all the toys, but one that gets their mother’s attention. Is your child, crying out for your attention? Even now?

Check out Ann’s post: The Real Secret to Happy Homemaking