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5
I failed as a father today
Because my kid did her homework the wrong way
I tried to keep my cool
And calmly explained three times what she should do
She failed to listen and rudely snapped back
‘We’re not supposed to do it like that!’
A bubble away from boiling - I growled ‘it’s still not right...’
Frustrated she cried and put up an emotional fight
With a hand on my belt I directed her to her room
Opted for a time out to cool off instead of spanking her too soon
I don’t want to associate discipline with homework
But I won’t allow my kid to mouth off and act like a jerk
After as many minutes as her age (8) passed I asked her to return
I erased the wrong answers and explained why she must learn
Challenges will appear for the rest of her life
It’s okay to cry and get frustrated
Lessons and struggles are often related
The aches of failure and pains of snafus
Are the beginning of understanding and what have you
We eventually got thru most of our checklist of things to do
Saving the most difficult task for last she still felt blue
When she realized that I had erased all her wrong answers she went ballistic
Out of options, I removed my belt from my hip quick
Anger turned to fear as her protests turned to pleas
‘I’m sorry - please don’t spank me!’
As the discipline took place
Tears streamed down her face
I hate the rearing part of parenthood
I wish I were more patient and that all of my instructions were good
If there were an option for no discipline I most certainly would
But rods can’t be spared
Or she’ll be spoiled and my instructions constantly dared
Her homework is finally done because I cared
