How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child!
That's the proverb, originating, much to my surprise, from Shakespeare. Like many of his quotes, it's become muddled in my head with Biblical shibboleths, probably because both employ the same language.
A serpent's tooth? Really? Is that the worst most piercing pain Shakespeare could think of, or his contemporaries imagine? I've never been snake bit, so I really shouldn't comment, but I really think there are or were worse pains.
And a thankless child? Does one expect gratitude from one's children? Is that the epitome of parenting? That your child be thankful?
Truly, that's a good start. A gratitude attitude is usually a good thing, and something a parent wants to instill in the psyche of the little mind and heart entrusted to them.
There are things more important than gratitude. A selflessness. Consideration of others. Work ethic, or perhaps any ethics at all. Cleanliness. Independence.
Thankfulness is nice, and if the other things fall into place, it will be there. But Gratitude is not high on my list of priorities.
Many a parent would be glad to forgo the thanks to have their child returned whole and healthy.
Many a parent would forgo the thanks to have their child free and functioning.
Many a parent would forgo the thanks to have their child not shame and embarrass them in front of friends, family, and the world in general.
How did it ever get started that ingratitude is the hallmark of a dysfunctional parent/child symbiosis?
