Raising a "Cool Kind Kid"

Here is the poem that I wrote shortly after 9/11 in 2001. As I said in the last blog entry, it has had a few changes over the last 10 years, but remains the standard for what a "Cool Kind Kid" is all about.

Raising a “Cool Kind Kid”

It all starts in the home
When a young child first says “please”
We follow him to preschool
Where he learns not to tease

Along the way with others’ help
He soon learns how to care
To be kind and honest
And play fair and share

When he steps outside his door
He then begins to see
That many different people
Live in his community

Asking what he can do to help
Gladly doing his chore
He puts the needs of others first
And cares about the poor

He learns respect for others
Himself and property, too
He appreciates what’s done for him
And always says, “thank you”

He’s known to be the friendly one
A really kind, cool kid
He stands up to the bully
“We don’t like what you did”

He’s learned to live The Golden Rule
At home, camp, sports and school
His kind heart clear to others
They see he’s “kind” and “cool”

Anyone who may have an interest in putting this poem to music; please contact me at www.CoolKindKid.com.
(copyright 2002) Barbara Gilmour, Etiquette, Etc., LLC