Article August 15, 1983 Issue

New, improved parents?

ELAINE H. NATALE

My kids read me a poem they found about a little boy named Clarence who had cranky parents. Apparently Clarence saw a commercial that identified the problem: his parents were just plain worn out! Clarence sent away for two new, improved parents and sold his old ones at a garage sale. According to the poem, little Clarence is now happy.

The poem was clever. I laughed and groaned and played right along. How much did my kids think I'd be worth at a garage sale? Would they give me one more chance? I also threatened to send away for new, improved kids. But later on I wondered if reading me the poem had been a hint.

What parent hasn't at times been a crank? What parent hasn't cringed at the sound of his or her own voice, and felt guilt-ridden and discouraged over not handling things better? Fortunately for us parents who are not ready to be sold, there is a way to put into action the resolve to be better at parenting: prayer.

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