Why can't we pay the parents
to stay home instead of leave?
I think there'd be more children
who would love instead of grieve.

I say let's pay a salary
for each thing that they do.
Make it an actual career
and watch the child shine through!

Make them take it serious
and give weekly reports.
Have them tell of happenings
the good, the bad....all sorts!

Pay them so they're happy
to have chosen this ''career''.
Let them see the happy face
that says ''My mom is here! ''

Say certain things are ''overtime''
like all the evening games.
The after school activities
where the parent will learn names.

I think more people would choose it
but this world is not set up
to accommodate the ''family''
and so they just soon give up.

This plan may seem too crazy,
I admit... it may just be.
But what is this world missing?
It's the value in ''family''.

Mary Nagy

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/let-s-pay-the-parents/