“Mom I’m just upset right now because I need to cuddle with you.”
And with that we were on the couch with a pile of blankets, snuggled up singing Christmas songs. After a few minutes she was asleep, and after a few more minutes, the doorbell. She jumped up and bolted to the door to greet her friends. When they asked if she could play she said, “I’m cuddling with my mom.” I told her she could go out and play with her friends if she wanted, or she could stay inside with me.
“I want to cuddle with you.”
Honestly I did not see that coming. She waits all day until her friends come home from school to play with them. So we snuggled up in those blankets again, and with some “Silent Night” and “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” she was asleep again. And so was I.
I was glad we could cuddle some more but also grateful that I stopped to take time to be with her in the first place. Grateful that I listened to what she needed. I don’t think I do that as often as I should.
I am realizing more now how her button pushing really means more of “I need to cuddle with you” than “I want to make you upset.” And more “I need you,” than “I need time out.”
It seems she’s figuring out how to tell me that too.