The sting of rejection

Ouch. I've heard of it, read about it, but never experienced it. Until today. My baby boy wanted nothing to do with Mommy once Papa was around. When Papa left the room, the boy screamed. He swatted my hand away when I tried to comfort him. Enter big sis. She laid a gentle hand on his back and stroked him saying, "It's ok. You want Papa? He'll be right back." He quieted down immediately and let her just stroke his hair and back until Papa returned. It was one of the most beautiful parenting moments I've experienced so far. And also, a little sad. I've never been rejected by my little ones before.

Papa takes the girls to school now that he's working at home. For some odd reason he always gets a shower and I rarely do! The girls start school 30 minutes apart so he takes one at a time and returns between as we live just 2 minutes by car from the school. The little guy screamed and cried when Papa walked out the door with the first to go to school and waved goodbye vigorously out the window. The same big sis was there to comfort him.

Now, big sis gets her shoes on to go to school when Papa returns and the little guy gets out his coat and starts trying to put it on. He's not yet 19 months old. Big sis proceeds to teach her little bro how to put on a jacket. He is ready to go. So, we agree that he'll accompany Papa to take big sis to school. Papa can't understand my mixed emotions. The little guy won't even give me a kiss goodbye. Just swats me away again. Big sis gives me a comforting, loving hug. She understands. She is beautifully empathetic.

I am thrilled to see the relationship between my husband and son. I feel no envy, only love and warmth. Still, the rejection stings. It is bittersweet. And a new experience for me. Yet, I embrace each moment of motherhood - good, bad, happy, sad. And all of those that fall in between.

Sibling love