Parenting Woes..

My adolescent is being excruciatingly slow

In finishing his breakfast, I expect him to show

Some concern over getting late for school

But he is chewing at a leisurely pace, acting “cool”

While I am almost tempted to snatch his plate

I am worried both of us are going to be late

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Over dinner the same scenario plays out again

We(his parents) have finished dinner, but half-full his plate remains

I am exasperated knowing that he has to study for his test

But in getting done with dinner, he has shown no interest

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Of course the more impatient I get, the longer he takes

Trying to nag a teenager into doing something you want is always a mistake

As I prepare to turn away, he hurls the tongue-in-cheek question at me-

Why do I talk about eating slowly and mindfully

And then expect him to scarf down his meals

The double standards of my parenting he reveals

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I have a conflicting relationship with eating speed

As a physician in practice I often need

To eat as fast as I can, it has become a habit for me

But gulping down food is harmful for the body unfortunately

One should eat slowly, chew thoroughly, have distractions none

And in our busy lives it is easier said than done

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My son needs to manage his time, and he must cultivate

Healthy habits at this age, but to prevent himself from getting late

He must trim time from some other task

To eat faster than he can should not be my ask