Mind Your Manners

Because I Said So

Do this and do that,

Don’t do this and don’t do that,

All mothers have a long list of what their children should do,

“Do your homework; eat your vegetables; say your prayers; tie your shoe”,

The don’t do list is probably even longer; it’s a lot!

Don’t run with scissors; don’t swallow your gum; don’t play in the street, don’t touch that, it’s hot!

Do:  Make your bed, brush your teeth, take out the trash and then…

Tomorrow, go back and do it all over again,

Turn off the tv; clean up your room,

Sweep the kitchen for me- oh, here is the broom,

Barking out orders is what I do,

Without even a please or a kind thank you,

Don’t even :  Backtalk me, whine or complain;

Why do I nag so much?  Let me explain…

Ummm …. Hmmmm …. Let me see,

I’m not quite sure- what could the cause be?

“Mind your manners”, is often my command,

“Do as I say and not as I do” is more my brand,

A recipe for success would be a compromise,

Discipline, mixed with love & grace- now, that would be wise,

It’s not all about the do and do not,

The riches are found in the memories I’ve got,

While it is important to teach them right from wrong,

It is crucial to build relationships that are strong,

“Because I said so” is a good enough reason,

“Because you asked me to” is a whole different season,

I think I’ll leave the barking to my dog,

The croaking can come from the backyard frog,

The children are only young once, why must I be a nag?

I don’t want to be known as a grumpy old hag!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  6/6/2019