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Parents Set the Tone

Shirt says runs with scissors Hat says shut up woman First day of kindergarten Parents have already set the tone Child knows swear words Uses them proudly Anticipating loud laughter Crestfallen and confused When it does not happen Sad lonely eight-year-old No birthday party invites No children allowed to play with him Set up for failure before he learned his letters Parents angry School did not fix him We tried to let him know he was not broken, But he already believed he was

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Rhona Mcferran

Date: 9/21/2018 6:50:00 PM

Very aptly described. The last two lines especially resonated, "We tried to let him know he was not broken,/ But he already believed he was"... as that was how I felt as a child. The good news is- I remember every tiny act of kindness from those years- and it still means a lot!!! Your work is planting seeds that may eventually take root, even years from now (when they're out of that horrible environment)!

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 9/22/2018 12:36:00 AM

YES, that is good news! Maybe the family will begin to heal and recover now.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/21/2018 8:38:00 PM

Good news today. A mean dad moved away from a family I know. I always like it when that happens.

M. L. Kiser

Date: 9/21/2018 5:51:00 PM

The poor kid; that is difficult. So many kids end up with the tone preset for them by parents and daycare workers, sometimes. A superb depiction.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/21/2018 8:39:00 PM

Thank you. I am sort of an expert in the "poor" kid department. One of my friends once gave me an Orphan Annie plate. When I asked why she said, "Because you are the friend of the friendless."