If I would charge one cent each time 
I washed my children's clothes, 
Or tied a shoe or gave a bath 
Or wiped a runny nose, 
Or made a bed or acted as 
Their judge or referee, 
It would be possible that I 
Could live in luxury. 

If I were paid a nickel for 
Each diaper that I've pinned, 
For every Band-Aid I've applied 
When arms or legs were skinned, 
For every toy that I've picked up 
And put back in it's niche, 
There wouldn't be a single doubt-- 
Why, I could be quite rich. 

If just one dime would be my fee 
For giving them a pill, 
For making meals and wiping up 
The milk they always spill, 
For darning scores of tiny socks, 
For fixing things that break, 
It wouldn't be too long before 
A fortune I would make. 

Although it's true I don't receive 
A solitary cent, 
I'm repaid in many ways 
For all the time I've spent. 
Their smiles, their love is my reward 
For this unending care, 
And I am richer, yes, by far 
Than any millionaire! 

  ~author unknown~