Your Child Poem by Randy McClave

Do not allow them to smoke or drink,
Or even to get a tattoo,
If your child does then sit down and think
They wouldn't be them, that would be you.
Don't raise them the way that you was raised
Instead raise them the way you wished you was,
Take them to church let them see God praised
And always give them your love.
Spare the rod and you'll ruin the child
As written down in the Bible in Proverbs,
Spank the child when they go wild
Don't give them candy and sweets, give them herbs.
Don't raise your child on your past
On the dreams and the desires you have toiled,
Remember it's always the the first stone cast
Then by the next stone the child is spoiled.
Remember the child came from you
It's not your sisters or your parents or them,
Raise them the way in which is honest and true
Then one day they will sing you a grateful hymn.
You alone are the parent
God gave you that great and honorable gift,
So, always be there and never be transparent
No matter of any strain or rift.
If after you are all grown
And you look back at your childhood with a smile,
And of your childhood to the world you want it to be known
You were then raised with love and tenderness and not guile.
Don't let your parents ever spoil them
Remember it is your child and not theirs,
Remember in life it's always either to sink or swim
No matter of the homes or lairs.

Randy L. McClave