Being a parent is one of the greatest joys in life, but man it’s NOT always easy. One of the most painful things we can hear as parents is our child(ren) saying “you don’t love me” or “you hate me”. It’s absolutely gut-wrenching! Even after going through the entire rollercoaster of emotions yourself in simply trying to process those words sometimes you come out the other side wondering if that’s truly how you make your kiddo(s) feel! It’s #momguilt at its finest.
I don’t always have the answers. I’m most certainly not always right. And Lord knows I am far from perfect. But I do try my very best. Here are a few tips that have helped guide myself and even Hunter through some of the tough times:
1️⃣ Take a deep breath and do your best to remain calm: Hearing these words can be incredibly emotional, but it’s important to stay calm and not react impulsively. Take as many deep breaths as you need to and give yourself a moment to process your emotions.
2️⃣ Validate their feelings: It’s important to let your child know that you understand how they’re feeling, even if you don’t agree with what they’re saying or doing. Let them know that you hear them and that you’re willing to work together to find a solution.
3️⃣ Reassure them of your love: Make sure your child knows that you love them unconditionally, even when you may not agree with their behavior and especially when they make mistakes. Reassure them that you’re there for them and that you will always be there to support them. Do NOT assume they know that you love them. SAY it! SHOW it!
Remember, parenting is a journey and there will be bumps in the road along the way. Hearing hurtful words from our children can be incredibly painful, but with patience, understanding, and love, we can overcome these challenges and strengthen our bond with our children. Drop a 🫶🏼 in the comments if any of this spoke to you. P.S. you’re doing a great job Momma don’t you forget that.
