The years may be short, but the days are long
And the toddler stage was never my favorite
I now have three who play and fight
Mommy look at me
Mommy watch dis
Mommy Mommy I needa drink
So when I am stressed I bake, I bake
And when I am stressed, I bake
The winter persists, April snow each day
The mittens and boots are as limp as I be
I promise myself I won’t whine, won’t whine
But before I know it I’ve glowered and growled, right
Back at the grouchy, unchanging sky.
I eat salads at lunch for a splash of fresh color
And when I am stressed I bake, I bake
And when I am stressed, I bake
So far, I’ve wiped from my floor today
An explosion of brown sugar, flour sprinkles
Cookie crumbs, dishwater, somebody’s drink
Dust bunnies and unidentified crumbles
About which it would be well not to inquire too closely
But I finish the cleaning as quick as I can
And when I am stressed I bake, I bake
And when I am stressed, I bake
Birth family visits are cancelled last minute,
Service providers don’t show, don’t text
There are promises made that will not be kept
When can I see my daddy again
And is my mommy okay?
One’s nose runs. One’s tantrums scream:
Sharing is stupid, bedtime is worse, and what are you going to do with me?
Here, baby, watch me blend the ingredients
When I am done, lick the cookie dough spoon
For when I am stressed I bake, I bake
And when I am stressed, I bake
Every day I live with the chance
Of losing that which I love
The beautiful chocolate skin may stay
(I will keep it forever, if I may)
Or leave to be kissed by someone else
And I to be Mommy no longer –
We are dining high on cookies and cakes
And muffins and cupcakes and truffles and treats
Because when I am stressed I bake, I bake
And when I am stressed, I bake.
Oh honey child…. may those sweets bring comfort and fullness of love and delights to each one. I think I’ll be chanting your lovely last lines in my sleep tonight.
Sorry.
And thank you.
There is so much beauty and joy and tears and pain expressed in this poem. You have said in a poem what could be written in a book. God bless you as you continue to bake, and relieve your stress. It’s funny, because baking for me too is a way of relieving stress.
What a fun poem! Blessings to you as you mother three toddlers. (Blessings like patience, strength, wisdom, and sweetness.)
Well, I was impressed with the reference to muffins in the Sunday morning sermon.
Yes, it was nice of him to use that as a sermon illustration in light of all the other fodder he could have pulled from…
Hugs to you in your stressful time! Love your poem! keep on keeping on! And I’m sure your family is happy with the food.
So that’s a win win! Stress relief for you plus food. 
Sometimes I think the unknown is worse then knowing. ( if it’s a no, at least I know it and can deal with it) until I’m in the middle of working through a no. It’s interesting to see the different things different people do for stress relief. Baking would stress me out, particularly if I was stressed already. Blessings on your day!
Not to imply that there is a no in your future. But generally, yes isn’t stressful :). It’s wonderful to leave it all in God’s capable hands, which is, unfortunately, Much easier said then done.
Exactly. I knew what you meant. Thank you.
But when I am stressed, I drop hints for takeout and find excuses to stay out of the kitchen and take every opportunity to not have to pack lunches
And when I am stressed I do not bake, I do not bake. And when I am stressed I do not bake.
Lol! And I’ve always been intimidated by the gals who clean, sew, or quote Scripture when they’re stressed!
Yes to this! Baking stresses me out, especially with three preschoolers! May you sense God drawing near as you use your stress to bless others!!!
Hmm, I’ve always tagged the kitchen as my happy place. Now the question is: Do I go there when I want to be happy or when I am happy… not sure. As for stressful situations, I’ve learned that without trust there is no hope; but when trust comes, hope springs eternal!
…and when I am stressed I clean, I clean. And when I am stressed, I clean…
Grrrrr… How do you actually LIKE it? That is my question.
???
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I most definitely do not bake. I dig in the flower bed j get dirt under my nails, then I’m ok. What’s a girl to do when it keeps snowing?
I wish I would bake when I get stressed. At least I’d have something to show for it. And I have such a sweet tooth.
When I am stressed, I putter… a little bit of everything, and not much of anything. Baking, cleaning, sewing… any of those would be more productive than puttering.