to parents, from children

Dear parents, listen to what your child has to say. Maybe you haven't realized it, what your child truly wants to tell you, with this poem.

DON'T SPOIL ME
I know quite well that I ought not to have
all that I ask for. I'm only testing you.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE FIRM WITH ME
I prefer it. It makes me feel more secure.

DON'T LET ME FORM BAD HABITS
I have to rely on you to detect them in early stages.

DON'T MAKE ME FEEL SMALLER THAN I AM
It makes me feel stupidly “big”.

DON'T CORRECT ME IN FRONT OF PEOPLE IF YOU CAN HELP IT
I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.

DON'T MAKE ME FEEL THAT MY MISTAKES ARE SINS
It upsets my sense of values.

DON'T BE TOO UPSET WHEN I SAY “I HATE YOU”
It isn't you that I hate but your power to thwart me.

DON'T PROTECT ME FROM CONSEQUENCES
I need to learn the painful way sometimes.

DON'T TAKE TOO MUCH NOTICE OF MY SMALL AILMENTS
I am quite capable of trading on them.

DON'T FORGET HOW QUICKLY I AM GROWING UP
It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please do try.

DON'T MAKE RASH PROMISES
Remember that I feel badly let down when promises are broken.

DON'T FORGET THAT I CAN'T EXPLAIN
MYSELF AS WELL AS I WOULD LIKE
This is why I am not always accurate.

DON'T TAX MY HONESTY TOO MUCH
I am easily frightened into telling lies.

DON'T BE INCONSISTENT
That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.

DON'T PUT ME OFF WHEN I ASK QUESTIONS
If you do you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.

DON'T TELL ME MY FEARS ARE SILLY
They are terribly real and you can do much
to reassure me if you try to understand.

DON'T EVER SUGGEST THAT YOU ARE PERFECT OR INFALLIBLE
It gives me too great a shock when I discover that you are neither.

DON'T EVER THINK THAT IT IS BENEATH
YOUR DIGNITY TO APOLOGIZE TO ME
An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm towards you.

DON'T FORGET THAT I LOVE EXPERIMENTALLY
I couldn't get on without it, so please put up with it.

DON'T NAG
If you do I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.

DON'T FORGET THAT I CAN'T THRIVE
WITHOUT LOTS OF UNDERSTANDING & LOVE
But I don't need to tell you that, do I?

Author: Mildred Neville