country poetry & more

Raising Children

If you want to raise a monster, here's what you need to do:

Give him everything he asks for, and maybe extras, too.

Laugh at the dirty words he says, don't teach him right from wrong,

no training in the spiritual vein, no hymn or Godly song.

Teach no responsibility, self-discipline or work.

Ignore your job as leader, the role of parent shirk.

Let him read or watch anything he wants, and fill his mind with smut.

If you mention God or morals, he may think you're a nut.

Have quarrels in his presence, using language of the street.

Let him see your lack of self-respect, show him how to cheat.

Provoke him oft to anger, take his side in any trouble,

so that when he meets reality, adversities will double.

He will spend a lifetime catching up, nor earn the feel of pride

that comes with honest labor, respect from deep inside.

Then prepare yourself for a life of grief, for it will surely come,

and you can sit and wonder why your child became a bum.

(From a sermon by Roger Holm)

Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net