Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends.
Related quotes
A Dog's Life Initial Version Sixteen Years
Sixteen years, now almost seventeen,
I came at beck and call, stayed seldom still
until my master called, or whistle shrill
recalled me to my place. My sight was keen.
Sixteen years, I stood as faithful friend,
as boon companion spinning out the years.
His mother passed away, I shared the tears
that fountained forth and never seemed to end.
Sixteen years, come rain or shine, I d walk
twice, sometimes thrice a day, I sensed each smell
around the house, yes every one knew well well,
and after dinner heard the table talk.
Sixteen years from pet to family,
from playful pat to priceless kith and kin,
I vetted all who'd fall for either twin,
could smell a rat or chase cat up a tree.
Sixteen years I watched the children grow,
suffered their untaught hands, that now caress,
I guard them still, still at the same address,
as I will do til its my turn to go.
Sixteen years that gambolled life away,
with water, beef and bone, I've played at will.
The smells less sharp are now, and soon I will
make my last bow - yet still, in dreams, I play!
(5 January 1992)
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Mama, Dont Treat Your Daughter Mean
(ry cooder)
Hey, mama, dont you treat your daughter mean
Hey, mama, dont you treat your daughter mean
cause you treat her so mean and shes only sweet sixteen
It was late last friday evening, when everything was still
I heard somebody calling my name outside my window sill
I got up and I looked outside strainin my eyes to see
And my heart went wild when I realized just who was calling me
I hollered
Hey, mama, dont you treat your daughter mean
Hey, mama, dont you treat your daughter mean
cause you treat her so mean and shes only sweet sixteen
Now, her eyes were blazing up at me
Her hair was black as night
And her naked skin shone like gold
Out in the pale moonlight
She took my hand and she pulled me down
Where the grass had grown up tall
The she moved her body all around
Just like a cannon ball
Hey, mama, dont you treat your daughter mean
Hey, mama, dont you treat your daughter mean
cause you treat her so mean and shes only sweet sixteen
Yonder comes your mama, girl, cross the field
Runnin and a-shakin like an automobile
Daddys got a shotgun in his hand
They just dont understand
The first time I seen that sweet girl
She was runnin home from sunday school
And the next time I seen that sweet little girl
Was when she broke her mamas rule
But the last time I seen that sweet little girl
She was filled with a strange desire
Rollin and tumblin out on the cold wet ground
Her skin burnin up just like a cane fire
She called my name a thousand ways
The tears came streaming down her face
But just when I was bout to blow my stack
Her daddy came a-creepin and a-crawlin up behind
And he shot me in the back
song performed by by Ry Cooder

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I Wouldn't Treat A Dog
when i was up
You'd always come around
When i need a friend
You could never be found
I got a hole
Where my heart used to be
I wouldn't treat a dog, no
The way you treated me
When time was good, love
All of your lovin' was the same
Oh, when the goin' got rough
Boy, you hardly knew my name
You locked me out
And you threw away the key, baby
I wouldn't treat a dog, no no no
The way you treated me
Got me cryin for the love
That i'm needin'
Beggin' like a dog for a bone
Boy, i've spent most of my time grievin'
You turn you back
And you leave me, one of these old days
Lord knows that it's true
Just when you need me the most
I'll be walking out on you
When you say
As you're beggin' down on your knees, baby
I wouldn't treat a dog, no no no
The way you treated me
The way you treated me
I wouldn't treat a dog, no no no
The way you treated me
No, no i wouldn't do it
No, baby, i couldn't do it
I wouldn't treat a dog, no no no
The way you treated me
No baby, the way you treated me
song performed by by Cher

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Dog's Life
Sixteen years, now almost seventeen,
I've played at stick and ball, stayed seldom still
until good master's call would whistle shrill
to lead me back - no need to smack. Sight keen.
Sixteen years tail's wagged as faithful friend,
as boon companion, running round fun years.
His mother passed away, I shared the tears
that fountained forth and never seemed to end.
Sixteen years round each revolving moon
from hearth and home I pick up slightest sound,
ears prick, eyes bright, in sight I'm always found
to hold my ground, though often play buffoon.
Sixteen years, come rain or shine, we walk
twice, sometimes thrice a day, I sense each smell
around the house, tell friends from rascals well,
and after dinner hear the table talk.
Sixteen years from pet to family,
from playful pat to priceless kith and kin,
I vet as threat who'd twins' affections win,
can smell a rat or chase cat up a tree.
Sixteen years I've watched the children grow,
suffered unruly hands that now caress,
I guard them still, still at the same address,
as I will willing till my turn to go.
Sixteen years saw summers shedding hair,
saw autumns' colours charm birds from the trees,
saw winter whiteness whose bare branches' frieze
prepared for springs unbounded, weather fair.
Sixteen years, milk - nap - home-made pap brew,
from toothless start, heart full, until depart,
toothless, heart filled beyond all man may chart,
life's cycle spins till ready to renew.
Sixteen years that gambolled life away,
with water, beef and bone, I've played at will.
Scents seem less sharp today, and soon I will
make my last bow - still in thrill dreams I play!
Revised 6 August 2007 Previous Title Sixteen Years
(5 January 1992)
poem by Jonathan Robin

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Daughter's Plea..
Dyed hair, trimmed mustache,
once six packs mid ribs,
ballooned as 'bear' belly,
toned biceps and triceps,
Dad, you do look handsome,
but do not let my bosom,
friends say that you are awesome,
Look at them as you look at me,
Treat them as you treat me,
Be they a secretary, a nurse,
a subordinate or a colleague,
a stranger or a school girl,
whoever they are as old as me,
at least treat them,
as you treat me.
respect them, as you respect me.
poem by Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Here Comes The Sun
George harrison
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say its all right
Little darling, its been a long cold lonely winter little darling, it feels like years since its been here here comes the sun, here comes the sun and I say its all right
Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces little darling, it seems like years since its been here here comes the sun, here comes the sun and I say its all right
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting little darling, it seems like years since its been clear here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say its all right
Its all right
song performed by by Nina Simone

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Oh Gin
Oh, gin
How could you treat me this way
Oh, treat me this way
Oh, gin
How could you treat me this way
Baby, treat me this way
You know you broke my heart
Ever since you went away
You gotta feel it and like it
And if you move you gotta drill it and hold it
Oh, oh, oh, oh, gin
How could you treatin me this way
You know you broke my heart
Ever since you went away
Oh, gin
How could you treat me this way
Hey, you treat me this way
Oh, gin
How could you treat me this way
How you treat me this way
You know you broke my heart
Ever since you went away
You gotta feel it and like it
And if you move it like it
Oh, oh, oh, oh, gin
How could you treat me this way
You know Im gonna stay alone
til youre coming back and play
You know Ive been so sad
Ever since you went away
You know Ive been so sad
Ever since you went away
song performed by by Velvet Underground

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I Will Never Be Untrue
I will never be untrue
Do anything you would want me to
Never stay out drinking
no later than two
(two thirty...)
I will never treat you mean
and I won't cause no kind of scene
Tell you all the people
all the places I have been
I will always treat you kind
try to give you peace of mind
Only you tell me that you love me
one more time
Now darling
please don't be sad
Don't run off like that
when you get mad
Cause if you do
you gonna lose
the best friend
that you ever had
That's no lie...
I will never be untrue
Do everything you want me to do
Bring all my loving all my money
bring it all home to you
I never be untrue
song performed by by Doors

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
She Works Hard For The Money
She works hard for the money
so hard for it honey
she works hard for the money
so you better treat her right
She works hard for the money
so hard for it honey
she works hard for the money
so you better treat her right
Onetta there in the corner stand
and wonders where she is and
it's strange to her
some people seem to have everything
Nine a.m. on the hour hand
and she's waiting for the bell
and she's looking real pretty
just wait for her clientele
She works hard for the money
so hard for it honey
she works hard for the money
so you better treat her right
She works hard for the money
so hard for it honey
she works hard for the money
so you better treat her right
Twenty five years have
come and gone
and she' seen a lot of tears
of the ones who come in
they really seem to need her there
It's a sacrifice working day to day
for little money just tips for pay
But it's worth it all
just to hear them say that they care
She works hard for the money
so hard for it honey
she works hard for the money
so you better treat her right
She already knows
she's seen her bad times
she already knows
these are the good times
She'll never sell out
she never will
not for a dollar bill
she works hard
She works hard for the money
so hard for it honey
she works hard for the money
so you better treat her right
She works hard for the money
so hard for it honey
she works hard for the money
so you better treat her right
She works hard for the money
so hard for it honey
she works hard for the money
so you better treat her right
song performed by by Donna Summer from The Donna Summer Anthology

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Snowman
(andy partridge)
It isnt even winter and Im freezing, freezing,
This sort of feeling isnt pleasing,
And what I want to know, man,
Why, oh why,
Does she treat me like a snowman?
Shes been building me,
Up quite steadily,
Seems like Ive been here years and years and years and years;
I wait patiently,
Froze in history,
All ice-water is tears and tears and tears and tears;
She treats me far too frosty,
This hanging on has cost me dear.
It isnt even winter and Im shivering, shivering,
Waiting for the love thats not delivering,
What I want to know, man,
Why oh why,
Does she treat me like a snowman?
It seems you would say I was too soft-hearted,
If you made a dunce-cap Id don it!
People will always be tempted to wipe their feet,
On anything with welcome written on it.
It isnt even winter and Im freezing, freezing,
And this sort of feeling isnt pleasing,
And what I want to know, man,
Why, oh why,
Does she treat me like a snowman?
song performed by by Xtc

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Snowman
(andy partridge)
It isnt even winter and Im freezing, freezing,
This sort of feeling isnt pleasing,
And what I want to know, man,
Why, oh why,
Does she treat me like a snowman?
Shes been building me,
Up quite steadily,
Seems like Ive been here years and years and years and years;
I wait patiently,
Froze in history,
All ice-water is tears and tears and tears and tears;
She treats me far too frosty,
This hanging on has cost me dear.
It isnt even winter and Im shivering, shivering,
Waiting for the love thats not delivering,
What I want to know, man,
Why oh why,
Does she treat me like a snowman?
It seems you would say I was too soft-hearted,
If you made a dunce-cap Id don it!
People will always be tempted to wipe their feet,
On anything with welcome written on it.
It isnt even winter and Im freezing, freezing,
And this sort of feeling isnt pleasing,
And what I want to know, man,
Why, oh why,
Does she treat me like a snowman?
song performed by by Xtc

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Together Apart
We're together...
But apart!
Together in body,
Apart in heart.
We have grown
Out of the love
Which we had
At the start.
Only the children
Hold us together,
And the lives
We live each day.
But when you lie beside me,
In our cold bed at night,
We just lie there, together, apart,
And nothing is right.
I long for what we had,
When all that we did,
We did together,
But your heart left me,
And we only remain
Together, Apart.
Scarlett Treat
December 28,2007
poem by Scarlett Treat

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (the Way You Treated Me)
When I was up,
Girl, you were always comin' round
When I needed a friend,
You could never be found.
I've got a hole where my heart used to be.
I wouldn't treat a dog, whoa no baby
The way you treated me. (I couldn't do it to ya, now)
When times were good,
Girl, all your lovin was the same.
When the cold wind got rough,
You hardly knew my name.
You've locked me out and you threw away the key.
I wouldn't treat a dog, whoa no baby,
The way you treated me.
You've got me cryin' for love and I need it,
Beggin' like a dog for a bone.
I know I spend all my time feelin',
Turn my back and you'll leave me one of these old days.
Lord know that it's true,
Just when you need me the most,
Girl, I'll walk right out on you.
I hear you say, beggin' down on your bended knees,
I wouldn't treat a dog, whoa no baby,
The way you treated me.
I've got a hole where my heart used to be,
I wouldn't treat a dog, whoa no baby,
I wouldn't treat a dog, whoa no baby,
The way you..... treated...... me.
song performed by by Cher

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Treat Me Like The Dog I Am
Red rover, red rover
Got a bone but I cant come over
Never broken, never trained
You got me in the doghouse
On this dog chain
You treat me
Like the dog, like the dog I am
You beat me
Like the dog, like the dog I am
Oh master, go faster
Youre my bitch and Im your bastard
At the dog pound make me beg
Got me with my tail between my leg
You treat me
Like the dog, like the dog I am
You shame me
Like the dog, like the dog I am you treat me
Like the dog, like the dog I am
You kick me
Like the dog, like the dog I am
Just beat me, just bite me, just break me
Treat me like a dog
Just blame me, just shame me, then cage me
Treat me like a dog
Cause I need it
And I want it
And I deserve it
Treat me like a dog
Please slap me, please smack me
Crack me, whack me
And attack me
(chorus)
song performed by by Motley Crue

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
My Friends Back In My Prime Years
My friends back in my prime years I never did disown
It's just that I live far from them and apart we have grown
We drank and played football together but our separate ways we've gone
And we have forged new friendships and life of course goes on.
My friends back in my prime years may now look a bit gray
And they might not know me or I might not know them if by chance we met today
In my memory they have remained young but in reality
The years have left their mark on them as the years have left their mark on me.
Old father time the aloof one to anyone doesn't bow
And some of my friends of my prime years may be grand parents now
Perhaps they now are showing their age and time has left them slow
They could run fast as I recall some twenty years ago.
My friends back in my prime years I may now not recognize
For time leaves it's mark on all of us I've come to realize
I drunk beer with them in the pub and with them played football
And that was many years ago as I can well recall.
poem by Francis Duggan

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
For the first five years of your son's life treat him as a prince, for the next ten years as a slave, then as a friend for the rest of his life.
Snow White Dove
this is for NATALIA ANNA JOELIE!
i know of a beautiful spirit by the name of
NATALIA ANNA JOELIE
the most beautiful spirit you would want to meet and see
she has gone through a lot for her sixteen years
and her poetry she loves to share.
she has a gift which is rare and unique
every poem is a treat.
now don't let her young years deceive you my friend
when she loves you-she loves you to the end.
she is a sensitive, shy, young spirit
which has taken to flight
reading her poetry is such a delight.
if you are really looking for someone to love
then check out this snow white dove.
poem by Louis Rams

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Plea
Treat me nice, Miss Mandy Jane,
Treat me nice.
Dough my love has tu'ned my brain,
Treat me nice.
I ain't done a t'ing to shame,
Lovahs all ac's jes' de same;
Don't you know we ain't to blame?
Treat me nice!
Cose I know I 's talkin' wild;
Treat me nice;
I cain't talk no bettah, child,
Treat me nice;
Whut a pusson gwine to do,
Wen he come a-cou'tin' you
All a-trimblin' thoo and thoo?
Please be nice.
Reckon I mus' go de paf
Othahs do:
Lovahs lingah, ladies laff;
Mebbe you
Do' mean all the things you say,
An' pu'haps some latah day
W'en I baig you ha'd, you may
Treat me nice!
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sixty to Sixteen
If I were young as you, Sixteen,
And you were old as I,
I would not be as I have been,
You would not be so shy—
We should not watch with careless mien
The golden days go by,
If I were young as you, Sixteen,
And you were old as I.
The years of youth are yours, Sixteen;
Such years of old had I,
But time has set his seal between
Dark eyebrow and dark eye.
Sere grow the leaves that once were green,
The song turns to a sigh:
Ah! very young are you, Sixteen,
And very old am I.
Red bloom-times come and go, Sixteen,
With snow-soft feet, but I
Shall be no more as I have been
In times of bloom gone by;
For dimmer grows the pleasant scene
Beneath the pleasant sky;
The world is growing old, Sixteen—
The weary world and I.
Ah, would that once again, Sixteen,
A kissing mouth had I;
The days would gaily go, I ween,
Though death should stand anigh,
If springtime’s green were evergreen,
If Love would never die,
And I were young as you, Sixteen,
And you were old as I.
poem by Victor James Daley

Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Old Friends
Old friends
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
Old friends
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
Saw you walk into the club last night
Could not even believe what I was seein
How do I even stop thinkin of you?
cause in my eyes youre still mine
Nobody told me I would feel like this
Wanting you more as the years walk on by
Now Im not afraid to say what i, I believe
But I wish you were my wife
My old friend
Old friends
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(my old friend)
Old friends
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
First time we met so cool, cool I never knew
You would become so closely to my heart
And now when I look back, girl I was so blessed
The rest never passed the test
Im choosy when it comes to newfound friends
And I wish they could be so smooth
(just like you)
And you never sweated me girl that was so tight
You were an angel in my life, oh, if
(I knew then)
What I know now
(what I know now)
Oh, yeah
(you wouldnt be with him)
You would be here
(youd be here with me)
My old friend
Old friends
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(my old friend)
Old friends
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(spoken-ralph):
Wow
Wish I only knew
What I know now
Im sorry baby
(my old friend)
Old friends
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(old friends)
Old friends
Are the best friends
(are the best friends)
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(what I wanna do, what I wanna say)
Old friends
Are the best friends
(I cant believe I have to leave without ya, baby, baby, baby)
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(yeah)
Old friends
(sometimes, sometimes I get so lonely, so lonely, so lonely girl)
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(old friends)
Old friends
Are the best friends
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(my old friend)
Old friends
Are the best friends
(are the best friends)
All my old friends
Are my best friends
(my old friend)
song performed by by New Edition

Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!