In fact, it is the very opposite of love as we shall see from God's Word. The love relationship between our heavenly Father and us compels him to set bounds for our behavior. He knows what is best for us, and in gracious lovingkindness he requires us to comply. If this is the way God deals with his children, then we must follow his example. Our love for our children will not permit them unrestrained expression of every whim.
Love sets limits.
Much has been written about this verse and not all expositors agree on its meaning. In other words, God says we are to narrow our children in, hedge them in to the way he wants them to go. When we lived in Fort Worth, Texas, we visited the botanical gardens where there was a maze of winding paths lined in with thick hedges. If we stayed between the hedges we always came out at the right place eventually. Just so, God wants us to hedge our children in so that they will turn out right.