Games Some Parents Play

There is a child intent on performance and needing the response of his family, but they are unfortunately a diverse audience and so when one smiles the other frowns.  As one is drawn closer, the other draws back.  Applause and rejection have to go together even though he shifts from one action to the next as fast as he can.  There are a lot of children being the board on which parents play games, games more cruel than anything else.  To respond only to himself might mean both would frown and maybe for now that is too much to tolerate.  Maybe someday, and maybe then his parents twill deal more directly.