For every parent who faces the constant struggle of teaching their child right from wrong; who faces the torture of seeing their child upset and/or crying after a ‘telling off’; this poem is written for that child to try and explain we are not being cruel but trying to help.

Don’t Hate Us. We Love You.

“I hate you”.

Don’t hate me when I tell you off.

I know it’s hard to see

That telling offs are what will help

You live your life as ‘free’.

“Go away. Leave me alone”.

Don’t reject my warm embrace

When the telling off is done,

My stern voice will not e’re remove

The fact you are my son.

“I’m crying because of you”.

A telling off will make you sad,

But there’s a truth to tell,

For every tear and every sniff

It breaks my heart as well.

So when you do a wrongful deed

And a telling off ensues,

Don’t think that I am having fun

It’s done in love for you.