Parental Perfection - a Rhyming Reel on a Parent's Ideal

"Children begin by loving their parents.
As they grow older they judge them.
Sometimes they forgive them."
Oscar Wilde
(1854 - 1900)

"Are you a perfect parent?'
The principal inquired.
"Why, that should be apparent."
My answer was inspired.

A parent's model of success,
And you can ask my kids,
For when I parent to excess,
They simply flip their lids.

My children wear the latest styles,
Those tattered, holey jeans.
Their t-shirts miss their waists by miles,
With tummies in-between.

A parent's model of success,
And you can ask my kids,
For when I parent to excess,
They simply flip their lids.

My children have become quite smart;
With phrasings and with counts,
Rehearsing diplomatic art
When asking cash amounts.

A parent's model of success,
And you can ask my kids,
For when I parent to excess,
They simply flip their lids.

My children practice study skills
On weekends and at night;
Observing all my fashion ills,
They try to set me right.

A parent's model of success,
And you can ask my kids,
For when I parent to excess,
They simply flip their lids.

My children aim for social height,
With etiquette reserved.
So every morning and each night,
They wait there to be served.

A parent's model of success,
And you can ask my kids,
For when I parent to excess,
They simply flip their lids.

My children know just who they are,
This much is clear to me.
At least, when they request the car
And its ignition key.

A parent's model of success,
And you can ask my kids,
For when I parent to excess,
They simply flip their lids.

My children walk with confidence,
With attitude and poise;
At least, based on the evidence
Of sheer volume and noise.

A parent's model of success,
And you can ask my kids,
For when I parent to excess,
They simply flip their lids.

A perfect parent can't exist;
This much is surely true.
For kids will keep a full checklist
Of everything you do!