that mommy heart

So it's been a few...years! What started as simple social media post turned into more. So here I am, and hopefully will be back again very soon.  A friend texted me the other night venting and seeking encouragement in dealing with big emotions and melt downs with one of her children. We texted back and forth in solidarity discussing the challenges for quite a while but one exchange really stuck with me. Friend: I’ve been saying if you’re going to have a bad attitude then you can go to your room until you’re ready to try again. It causes a big meltdown…crying “I can’t breathe…I need a hug” I don’t know whether to offer grace or be stern because I feel it’s manipulative a little bit Me (feeling this deep in my bones): I’ve been so irritated I’ve had to tell (child) I need my own time out first because I don’t feel like giving a hug I’m sure I’m not alone, although as I write these words I’m thinking what mother says this to her child. Parenting is HARD! The next evening I d...