"I Don't Like You Mom"

Well. It happened. 

A few days ago I heard my very first "Mom I Don't Like You" as a very frowny "threenager" walked away from me with arms crossed. I'm not gonna lie. My heart sunk. I felt crushed.

What was it over? Me following through with miss Nova. 

Parenting. 

Boundaries.

Consistency. 

I am realizing that good parenting will involve those moments...even though they are NOT fun. 

Loving someone SO much means we must set rules and boundaries and follow through with them while that little person is testing the waters. Some moments are absolute bliss! Some moments I just want to squeeze her sweet cheeks from how loving she is to me. Some moments I also realize I must allow her to "not like me" because I am mean for not feeding her popsicles for breakfast or granola bars for dinner (Isn't it kind of comical when we take a step back at what little kids get so bent out of shape over? haha....they can be perfectly fine and then BOOM something sets them off!)

Anyways - Encouragement for parents who are reading this:

EVERY MOMENT OF PARENTING IS NOT PERFECT.

NOT EVERY MOMENT IS FUN. 

THOSE LITTLE HUMANS PUSH EVERY BUTTON WE HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO EMOTIONS...and that is OKAY!

Think about how we can become BETTER for our kids from what we learn.

Speaking for myself, I see areas where I am learning patience, sacrifice, and joy! 

Now think about what you are teaching your kid(s) in those not-so-popular moments...

When that "I Don't Like You" happens, when you get eye rolls, when an attitude pops up out of nowhere, it most likely means you are doing something right because you CARE enough to offer guidance and help mold their behavior. 

Another truth? NO BODY has this parenting thing 100% figured out...and no body ever will. Kids change from year to year. We change from year to year. And all the while we try something, make improvements, adjust as needed, go along with plan B, learn how to be better for not only ourselves, but also for them, and KEEP GOING. Go with the flow and attempt to maintain balance! 

Enjoy the Journey. 

Embrace this Season.

It goes by SO QUICKLY and one day we will look back and realize that even those unpopular moments were not "bad" moments, but rather part of them growing up and becoming who they are meant to be. You've got this. Hang in there! 

Oh yea, and don't be too hard on yourself on those "not so perfect days"

-Andrea Newkirk