by Tierney O'Hara

Created on: April 28, 2008   Last Updated: June 07, 2010

A Conversation with my Daughter:

It is your responsibility so, no
I will not raise your child, although
I adore him of course. He belongs
To you and you must teach him right from wrong

You must grow up quickly now and learn
How to mother, how to earn
A living. And giving your all
Must replace trips to the mall.

I know you're just eighteen
And I'm not being mean.
Yes, I am your mother
But I'm not his. No bother

For me to watch him each day
As long as you are earning pay.
And if you try to make things right
I'll watch him weekends and at night.

But you must show responsibility.
You are no longer one person, you're a family.
You're a single mother with a son
Your child now comes before your fun.

I'll teach you everything I know
To help him learn and thrive and grow.
He's a smart little boy and very handsome
But he's not my child, he's my grandson.

You want to know where I got my ability
To raise a child; to learn responsibility?
Have you forgotten, dear daughter, that I too
Was eighteen and single when I had you?

Learn more about this author, Tierney O'Hara.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.