"I don't love you..."

[Rinelle]

Just wondering how other parents react to this statement from their children. Ezri has been saying it a lot lately, usually when it's bedtime, and she has to stop playing. It doesn't bother me, because I know she doesn't mean it, but I'm at a loss as to what to say in response.

[Stardust]

I just say 'that's ok. You don't have to. But you do have to XYZ (Clean teeth/get dressed etc).

[Madi]

Hudson doesn't say it, but my sister's kids (9 & 6) say it to me all the time! I just say, 'well you know what? I love you no matter what.'

[Sam]

My kids have said that from time to time, but I just reply with, "Oh well, I really love you"

[´*~·Meje·~*`]

Yep! I give the same response here :)

[Anju]

Elora has once told me that she hated me. I just looked at her and said ah well, I love you no matter what you say or do.
Then I poked my tongue out at her and said "SO NER!" and we both laughed.

[wems]

I just tell my kids " I love you forever and ever because you are my baby" then they are to busy trying to tell me there aren't a baby :rofl

[Rinelle]

LOL Wems.

Thanks everyone. That's pretty much what I say, I was just wondering if I was on the right track.

[mama_bel]

Yeh, I tell them I love them anyway. :)

[Pinky]

That's all what I would do too..

she hasn't got there yet but I'm waiting for those Teenage days when she tells me how much I embarrass her and I try to think what I would say..

"good, it is working then?"
"its my JOB to embarrass you"

[Madi]

That's all what I would do too..

she hasn't got there yet but I'm waiting for those Teenage days when she tells me how much I embarrass her and I try to think what I would say..

"good, it is working then?"
"its my JOB to embarrass you"


Lol Pinky! When I was a teen, my mum used to say 'am I embarrassing you yet?' and I'd say 'no, keep trying' :2lol

[melchpeppi]

hahahahha!

I reply the same - though I must admit I was really taken aback when she first said it to me... She says 'I dont want you to be my mummy anymore' and to that I just say something like 'oh dear, well thats a bugger because I cant help but be your mummy'

[Bron]

yep, similiar responses here :)

mel, i've received the I don't want you as a mum one before, too bad, honey, i'm the only mum you've got :D

[melchpeppi]

LOL Bron - its funny isnt it because then at another time Lola will say 'oh I love you so much mummy - you are the only one Ive got' hahahahaha!

Lucky Im not easily confused :P

[*bunty*]

I have heard it all from number one son. It seems he waited until he was seven years old to start saying he loved me, and in the same breath he hated me, I was the worst mother in the world, he wished he wasn't in this stupid family, I was a b*tch... :crying

I didn't really get much of a chance to enjoy the I love yous for very long. I always respond with just an "OK" or an "I still love you." Number one son has always been my challenge.

[Donna]

Yep B4's latest is "I hate you Mummy!"

I just tell him I love him to bits, and he'll just have to deal with it.

[Karena]

Harry usually says it when he doesn't want to do something. I usually just say "That's ok, I'll love you twice as much then" he usually responses with "I love you again Mummy'

[MenkyFrog]

I love that one Karena! I usually say " I love you always and always. Wow I feel a bit sad that you said that. I love YOU to the moon." when I am " the worst mother in the world" I say well that must mean I am doing my job because sometimes I don't do things so you will like them - I do them because I love you and I want you to be *insert safe, healthy etc etc*

I also tell them repeatedly how lucky they are because "I am the best mum they have ever had!" This usually elicits fits of laughter and a "Well I am the best *insert name here* you have ever had!"

ETA I don't know how I coped as a parent before my kids understaood sarcasm....maybe they just misunderstood half of what I said!!! :)

[Pinky]

ETA I don't know how I coped as a parent before my kids understaood sarcasm....maybe they just misunderstood half of what I said!!! :)

in teacher training they said "never be sarcastic with the kids" they don't understand it and it causes confusion (this was for year 7 to year 10 kids)

and I've read books about parenting that say something similar about not being sarcastic.

I can't help it... I did it with my kids and I do it with my daughter.. and they always get it.

I think my daughter was 2 when she said "mummy, you don't mean that.. you mean the opposite of that" and I was sooo proud. :) I explained that she now understands and can identify sarcasm.. from then on..

"oh mommy you are being sarcastic" .. kids are wonderful sometimes.

[littlemissnaughty]

Similar responses here too. I normally say I'll love you enough for the both of us, or I might add "sounds like you hate what I just did or said" So 'm trying to expand his emotional vocabulary a little more. Along the lines of being angry at the behavioru and not the child.

[kateking]

I once said to my DS
"that's ok, we all feel like that sometimes"
Then a slow realisation spread across his face and he said "but you wouldn't ever feel like that mummy coz I'm gorgeous!!" LOL