“I don’t like you! I don’t like you anymore!”
The angsty words of a 13 year-old spew out my three-year-old’s mouth.
“Get in bed, Wade.”
“I don’t want to take a nap. I’m not tired!”
“Lay down.”
“You’re not my mommy anymore!”
“I’ll always be your mommy. Not much you can do about that.”
“No! I don’t want a mommy at all!”
“Wade, that is not a nice thing to say. Now lay down and go to sleep. I love you.”
He’s rebellious lately. His willful nature is showing itself in a big way. He’s pulling and pushing. Testing the waters to see how much room I’ll give him. To see how much room he wants to take.
My days are filled up with giving firm, gentle correction. With restraining anger and executing forced patience. Then extending forgiveness, grace and mercy. I do it, because I love that little boy with a love that can’t be stopped.
It’s exhausting. It isn’t easy. For either of us. We both feel the pull and stretch of these growing pains.
It’s quite devastating to hear your story. But I admire your courage and deep understanding for your son. That is how God loves us. I love your statement : extending forgiveness, grace and mercy. Because of you love 🙂 Very inspiring…