My son came home from school one day,
With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
To put me in my place.
"Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.'
It says I need not clean my room,
Don't have to cut my hair
No one can tell me what to think,
Or speak, or what to wear.
I have freedom from religion,
And regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
And I sure don't have to pray.
I can wear earrings if I want,
And pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
Get tattoos from head to toe.
And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
With the marks on my behind.
Don't you ever touch me,
My body's only for my use,
Not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.
Don't preach about your morals,
Like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!
Mom, I have these children's rights,
So you can't influence me,
Or I'll call Children's Services Division,
Better known as C.S.D."
Mom's Reply and Thoughts
Of course my first instinct was
To toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
Made me think a little more.
I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.
Next day I took him shopping
At the local Goodwill Store..
I told him, "Pick out all you want,
there's shirts & pants galore.
I've called and checked with C.S.D .
Who said they didn't care
If I bought you K-Mart shoes
Instead of those Nike Airs.
I've canceled that appointment
To take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. Is unconcerned
So I'll decide what's best. "
I said "No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.
Just save the raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
A favorite dish of mine."
He asked "Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?"
"Sorry, but I sold your TV,
For new tires on my car.
I also rented out your room,
You'll take the couch instead.
The C .S.D. Requires
Just a roof over your head.
Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
Will buy me something neat.
I'm selling off your jet ski,
Dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!
Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
Instead of C.S.D..?"
With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
To put me in my place.
"Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.'
It says I need not clean my room,
Don't have to cut my hair
No one can tell me what to think,
Or speak, or what to wear.
I have freedom from religion,
And regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
And I sure don't have to pray.
I can wear earrings if I want,
And pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
Get tattoos from head to toe.
And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
With the marks on my behind.
Don't you ever touch me,
My body's only for my use,
Not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.
Don't preach about your morals,
Like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!
Mom, I have these children's rights,
So you can't influence me,
Or I'll call Children's Services Division,
Better known as C.S.D."
Mom's Reply and Thoughts
Of course my first instinct was
To toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
Made me think a little more.
I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.
Next day I took him shopping
At the local Goodwill Store..
I told him, "Pick out all you want,
there's shirts & pants galore.
I've called and checked with C.S.D .
Who said they didn't care
If I bought you K-Mart shoes
Instead of those Nike Airs.
I've canceled that appointment
To take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. Is unconcerned
So I'll decide what's best. "
I said "No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.
Just save the raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
A favorite dish of mine."
He asked "Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?"
"Sorry, but I sold your TV,
For new tires on my car.
I also rented out your room,
You'll take the couch instead.
The C .S.D. Requires
Just a roof over your head.
Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
Will buy me something neat.
I'm selling off your jet ski,
Dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!
Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
Instead of C.S.D..?"
Well Said, from a veteran parent!
ReplyDeleteboy, can I relate to this. For some reason, my son thinks he has had a rough childhood. Does he ever need an eye opener? Teenagers sometimes seem to forget there is life past them!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, if parents would just take some of these steps and teach their children what life is really all about instead of sacraficing so much of their wants and needs in order to give their children everything they want. Wake up parents.....do your children a favor. Teach them about life so they will grow up learning responsibility. Parents today are so afraid of their children having to earn things they want. Don't you have to work hard to earn your way in life (food, roof over your head, utilities, insurance, clothes, shoes, autos, etc.)? Parents do their children much more harm than good trying to give them everything in life trying to keep them up with the rest. They are going to have hard lessons down the road if they aren't taught now, and many are unable to handle real life situations because of it. I am thankful we taught our children to take on responsibilities early in life. It probably did more for them than any gift we ever bought them. And I know now that they appreciated it although at the time they may have thought we expected a little too much out of them.
ReplyDeleteI Love It!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up my friends mom had a plaque that hung in her hallway, and now that I have teenagers it's funny, although I didn't see the humor in it then. It said something along the lines of : Teenagers, quick while you know it all , move out and get a job.
Well Said!! My wife is from a very small town in one of the poorest regions of the Philippines. I have been there a couple times and have seen things there that makes me cringe and warms my heart at the same time. Kids there have absolutely nothing. The smallest piece of anything makes them smile. While my son here is worried about what he wears, who his friends are, what he has in the garage, and where he goes. My wife's family worry if there will be any food that day. Even the smallest gift sent to them is met with the most heat warming smile you could imagine. What is more amazing is that they share their meals with their friends and family members that do not live in their house. Even knowing that there may not be anything to eat tomorrow. To this day I get emails from people there that I have never met thanking my wife and I for their first taste of grapes (from a grandmother). I have told my son that I was going to send him over there to live for a month. Of course he could buy everything he needed and could be just fine. I guess his plans incude making the same amount of money there that he makes here. Knowing that my parents-in-law would keep him safe, I offered him a plane ticket anytime he wants. Not surprisingly, he has yet to take that offer. I think my money is safe there.
ReplyDeletedogg
Im printing out this poem and hanging it in my hallway!!! This is great!
ReplyDelete