Lately, my three year old throws around the “you’re not my friend” comeback when disciplined. The bad part is that our two year old parrots every word big sister utters.
The other night she was particularly upset with me for telling her that it was time to stop talking and go to bed. Here was our exchange:
Me: Are you going to meet me in Honali in our dreams tonight?
PT: (pouting) Yes and me and Daddio and Soah are going to ride on Puff, but he is going to eat you and you will never be my friend ever, ever again.
Me: That would be sad. You want mommy to go away forever.
PT: Yes and I not have a mommy.
…::ouch::…(my heart breaking)
Me: Okay, well then mommy will leave.
(I leave room closing the door and she begins to cry out for mommy so I go back in.)
Me: PT why are you crying for mommy. You didn’t want a mommy ever again.
( I go over to hug her.)
Me: You know even if you say mean words that hurt mommy, mommy will always love you forever and ever. Mommy will never leave you.
(PT started tearing up and her mouth corners turned down. This made me start to cry and ask a tear rolls out of my eye, down my cheek..)
PT: Mommy, a tear fell out! Oh mommy.
( Things brings on the waterworks for her. She throws her arms around my neck and we both cry for a bit….)
She’s 3. Smart, sensitive, and so frighteningly like me.
Life On Mango Street 