Anybody that has had children knows that parenting is filled with little quirks. Being that I am now... "THE MOM" of my Mom...,  I find myself flashing back to the days when my own children did or said something very similar to what I hear from my Mom.  

When my son was about 4 years old, he told me he hated me and was going to run away because I was making him take a bath.   He asked me to help him pack. As we were packing his bag, he kept telling me he hated me with teary bursts of grunts and growls. I told him I understood how he felt, because some days, although I always loved him, I did not always like him.  I  left his room and moments later he appeared and asked, with bag in hand.. " Mommy, do you really not like me?".   I reached over and grabbed his arm and looking into his eyes... "Mommy does love and I like you. I don't always like what you do. Just like you don't always like what Mommy does.  But you still hate me, right?  He flew into my arms and told me he did not hate me, he just did not like what I did when I made him come inside to take a bath.  Needless to say.. we unpacked his bag.  Moments later he was playing in the tub.

Thursday, Mom announced she was going to pack her bag and leave, but she needed me to get her a suitcase and she needed me to help her pack. She would, also, need me to call someone and take her to that other persons (always nameless)  house. The reason?  Well,  "we just don't understand each other anymore and this  is just not working." Mind you, this  was in the middle of the night  (3:00 am) during one of her confused episodes when she felt fear and anger.  Mom has "Sundowner's"...so..I am a verrrrry light sleeper and listen carefully for her moving around at night.   I told Mom I loved her and would be very sad if she left. If, in the morning, she still wanted to leave...we would work out something else for her. I sat up in the chair all night guarding the door... just incase.. In the morning, she did not remember. We had breakfast and took our walk.

I called my son later that day. He told me he still loved me and but still hates baths. He loves showers. (-:

Plz excuse any written errors..I am very tired. Thx

Diane