While in an airport
restroom last week I overheard the following conversation between a sweet,
patient mom (SPM) and someone who I assume
was her crying, travel-weary toddler (TWT). The mom never once lost her cool or her kind voice with the little one.
SPM: Sit up on the
potty.
TWT: I caaaannn't!
SPM: Yes, you can.
TWT: No, I caaann't.
SPM: Are you hungry?
TWT: Noooo. I need a
driiinnnk.
SPM: OK. We'll get
you a drink as soon as we finish going potty.
TWT: Noooo. I caaann't!
SPM: It will just take a
minute. I know you can.
Silence. Flush.
SPM: Good job. Let's
wash your hands.
TWT (still crying): I
can't wash my hands!
SPM: Come on. I'll help
you. Rub your hands together.
TWT: I don't like you!
SPM: I know you don't.
Hearing this
conversation made me smile. It was so classic. I remember like yesterday the
sting of those last words, but I don't know a parent who hasn't heard them, and
if they haven't they're in the minority. All parents are disliked by their
children at some point and it doesn't take long for them to be able to voice
it. I mean, really, this toddler was already experiencing those feelings!
The "I don't like
you" line can be offered in many different forms. My youngest daughter
used to tell me, "You're not my friend anymore!" On good days I
usually replied, "That's OK. I'm not here to be your friend. I'm here to
be your mother. But I hope we'll be friends again." But there were other
days that it took everything in me to not spout back, "I don't want to be
your friend either! I don't like you!" Emotions run high when parents are
exasperated and tired.
So what's the point? The
point is, don't take these verbal assaults personally. It's part of the
parenting territory. Those little people you're raising have emotions just as
real as yours. They just don't have the finesse to deal with them properly yet.
It's a parent's job to respect their children's feelings, while still teaching
them to be respectful and kind. Sounds impossible, but it isn't.
So how should you
respond when your child says he doesn't like you or even hates you? Here are a
few suggestions.
- Evaluate the overall situation. Is your child overly
tired? Stressed? Stimulated? If so, cut him some slack and sympathize, as
the parent in the airport bathroom did. Then try to meet the real need for
sleep, calm, or less stimulation.
- Say, "I know you're angry, but in our family we
still love each other, even if we're angry." This helps your child
sort out his emotions and put proper names to them. Anger doesn't equal
hate.
- If he can't calm down, or keeps screaming hateful
things, remove him from the room and place him in time out. Play soothing
music or something else that may help him calm down. After he's relaxed
enough that you can converse with him, explain that you understand he was
angry, but that it's never kind to tell someone you don't like them
because it hurts their feelings. Brainstorm other ways they can express
their anger or frustration without hurting people's feelings.
- Tell your child that you get angry, too, but that you
never want to say things that make him feel sad. Apologize if you know you
have said unkind things to your child and ask his forgiveness. And really,
who hasn't? Set an example for your child showing him he can apologize
when he makes mistakes, too.
Bottom line, it isn't the end of the
world if your child says he hates you. It's an angry moment. It will pass and
you know it isn't true. Try not to overreact. Use it as a teaching moment. Keep
loving your child unconditionally and your relationship will move beyond this
stage before you know it.
Has your child said he doesn't like
you? What was your best response?
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