Pardon This House

Some houses try to hide the fact that children shelter there,
ours boasts of it quite openly,
the signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
and smudges on the doors,
I should apologize, I guess, for toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children,
we laughed and played and read,
and if my doorbell doesn't shine,
their eyes will shine instead.

for when at times I'm forced to choose,
the one job or the other,
I ought to be a housekeeper,
but first I'll be their mother.

-- Unknown --