When I Was Young

When I was a child, we said the
Pledge Of Allegiance every day in school.
We said please and thank you,
And you got a swat if you broke the rules.

We were allowed to talk about
God and pray--no one was forced to obey.
There was a travel trailer that came by,
We had a Bible lesson, sang hymns and prayed.

We respected our elders,
Dressed appropriately--
No one sued for child abuse if their
Child got a swat when they disobeyed.

No crazy gunmen came in
And shot up our schools,
Killing students and staff--
Which lately seems the rule.

If you have children,
Be their PARENT, not their buddy
Or friend.  Give them rules and structure--
Communicate with them about anything and anybody.

Make sure you tell them you love them,
Spend time with them to SHOW it.
Don't abuse them in ANY way--
Know their activities, every bit.

If we had this now
As it was when I was young,
Parents wouldn't fear for their kids in school--
And teachers wouldn't have to carry a gun.