Parenting can be a delightful yet challenging journey. For many, the dream of having a child often includes the hope of engaging in meaningful conversations. As a parent, when my daughter Emily began to speak, I was overjoyed. However, as is often the case, the joy comes with its own set of frustrations. Here are four things my daughter, now 5 ½, says that I find particularly exasperating.
1) “Mommy, will you play with me?”
Picture this: it’s Saturday morning, and I’ve barely had my first cup of coffee.
Good Mommy Response: (sighing) “What do you want to play?”
Emily: “Store.”
Good Mommy: “What kind of store?”
Emily: “Jewelry. And other stuff. I’ll set it up, and then you can come in and buy whatever you want, okay?”
Good Mommy: “Can’t we just do a puzzle?”
Emily: “C’mon! It’ll be fun.”
Good Mommy: (exhaling) “Alright.”
Real Mommy Response:
Emily: “Mommy, will you play with me?”
Real Mommy: “What do you want to play?”
Emily: “Store.”
Real Mommy: “Oh, no! I really dislike imaginative play. There’s no clear ending, and I just want to relax on the couch with a magazine instead.”
2) “My bottom is itchy.”
This usually happens outdoors, rushing to school, surrounded by other families.
Good Mommy Response: “Okay, sweetheart. As soon as we get to school, we’ll go to the bathroom and take care of it.”
Emily: (tearful) “No! Mommy, please!” I grab a tissue, discreetly handle the situation, and smile at passersby.
Real Mommy Response:
Real Mommy: “Sorry, but you’ll have to wait until we get to school.”
Emily: (crying louder) “But Mommy!”
Real Mommy: “First, calm down. Second, I don’t understand how you can be itchy after I just took care of that last night. This is so embarrassing!”
3) “Why are you being so mean?”
Good Mommy Response: “Remember, it’s hard for me when you don’t cooperate and I’m tired? You’re delaying bedtime.”
Emily: “But you don’t have to be mean.”
Good Mommy: “You know what? You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Emily: “Yes.” (We hug.)
Real Mommy Response:
Real Mommy: “Because I’m exhausted from working all day to provide for you. Now, all I want is to unwind, but you’re bouncing around instead of listening!”
4) “I love you so, so much.”
Good Mommy Response: “Oh, thank you, darling. I love you so, so much, too.” (This one doesn’t bother me, but it tugs at my heartstrings.)
Real Mommy Response:
Emily: “Mommy, I love you so, so much.”
Real Mommy: “Oh, sweetheart. Can we stick to just ‘I love you’? When you say ‘so, so much,’ it makes me worry about leaving you too soon. That thought makes me very sad.”
Emily: “Why would you leave?”
Real Mommy: “Well, sometimes life isn’t fair, and I have my worries.”
Navigating these conversations can be complex, and sometimes, I find comfort in discussing these feelings. It reminds me of the importance of open communication.
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In summary, while my daughter’s phrases can sometimes frustrate me, they also serve as a reminder of the complexities of parenting and the importance of communication.