Expectations

by Elizabeth Bykerk

Be yourself, try your hardest. That is all that matters. Grades aren’t everything. I am happy with whatever grade you get as long as you put forth effort.

Oh my Gosh! You got a B you can do better. I know you can do better, you are being lazy. I want you to get all A’s.

But Dad I tried my hardest…

Don’t make excuses. You're not trying your hardest.

Let me see what your report card looks like and then…

I didn’t care as much as I should have and this isn’t about me don’t make it about me.

I tried that’s all I can do.

My mom’s expectations are warm and kind the feeling you get when you drink chocolate. My dad’s expectations are a lot different. They are tough, tough like when you are trying to get that knot out of your back. I get pressure from both my parents, different kind of pressure, but I still get pressure from both of them. I am their tug-of-war rope.

Keep your good work up, sweetie.

Just try a little harder and you will be able to do it.