From their cradle to our grave
We teach our kids to be strong.
Whether faint hearted or brave.
Where does it all go wrong?

We try to teach them to love,
But they soon learn to hate.
Being average is not good enough.
They want it all on a plate.

As tempting as it first might seem,
We cannot live our lives again though them.
Their lives are real and not our dream.
They care about now and not about then.

By the time they find out we knew some things
They will have children of their own.
If you love them, let them use their wings,
Though you'll miss them when they've flown.

From their cradle to our grave
We support them, and encourage them.
And from the little you can save
You hope they benefit in time.