For every time we raise our voices,

Insisting that you have no choices;

For every unkind thought or word

When you’re just asking to be heard;

For every unheard, silent scream

That underpins low self-esteem;

Each time we call you dumb or slow,

We think that that will help you grow.

The snide remarks that just slip out,

To fuel and reinforce your doubt;

Our puerile jokes at your expense

Suggesting lack of common sense,

Each time we mock your futile struggle

As others join us in a chuckle,

And say, "How thick, and oh, so slow!”

It’s ‘cause we want to help you grow.

And every well-aimed poisoned arrow

Should keep you on the straight and narrow;

Each barbed and bitchy, witty dart

To pierce and break your yearning heart;

Each look of meanness, every frown,

To close you off and put you down;

Each looming shadow that we throw,

We really think will help you grow.

And if you hear our callous laugh

As you stumble on your path,

Whatever pain it stirs in you,

We hope that something will get through.

We’ll call you weird and make you yelp,

And we hope that you will know

We’re doing all we can to help,

We cut you down to help you grow.

If we should nag or curse and cuss,

So you’ll play less and do your chores,

Reduce the noise and stop the fuss,

Stay on track, complete the course.

Look and listen, let us show

How hard we try to help you grow.

We’ll leave you frightened and entombed

In your cold and lonely cell-like room,

And when your beating heart is calm,

You’ll realise we mean no harm.

You see, we have a master plan,

Although you may not understand.

And, yes, the hours drag too slow,

But...time will pass, and you will grow

For every dusty dream that shatters

Because we aren't convinced it matters,

When all your hopes and aspirations,

Have been dismissed with irritation,

We think it kind; you think us foe!

We must insist we did not know!

We can’t stoop down to say we’re sorry,

Admitting doubt, concern or worry.

Or allow these things we mention

to over shadow good intentions.

You ask for ‘Yes’, we’ll answer ‘No!’

In our attempt to help you grow!

And if you feel hemmed in or trapped,

Sit down, fit in and shut your trap.

If, time to time, you can’t get through,

Think, feel and function like we do!

Don’t make waves or cause commotion,

Or ever show the deep emotion,

Why?Just because we told you so,

That’s all you need to help you grow!

You see, our parents loved us too,

Did all they could to help us through,

Now, it’s our duty; it’s our turn,

We learnt that hurting helps you learn!

And, because we’re older, and we’re wise,

We’re going to cut you down to size.

We were treated in this way,

Which makes us glad (or so we say!)

It didn’t hurt us, not one bit,

Although, at times, we feel like shit,

And if we’ve little self-esteem,

Still, we can blame you when we scream.

And, later, you’ll be glad we did.

When you find you treat your kids

In just the way we treated you,

You’ll know our words and deeds were true.

And you will thank us, looking back,

When you, in turn, snip, snipe and smack

And you will know the way to go,

To help your little monsters grow!

To never ask and never say,

Nor argue back but just obey.

They’ll learn to play these painful Games

To feel ashamed of all their pain.

Then weep in shadows, hide their light

And then we’ll know we got it right!

MM