She’s not giving me a hard time

 She’s not giving me a hard time

She’s having a hard time

That tantrum in the middle of the store
The kicking while I’m trying to buckle her car seat
The tears because I poured the cereal into the wrong bowl

It’s not about disrespect
It’s not about me losing control
It’s her little brain feeling something big
And not knowing what to do with it yet

She’s not trying to ruin my day
She’s overwhelmed
And I’m her safe place to fall apart

So I take a deep breath
I get down to her level
I remind myself that her behavior is communication
And I try to meet her with love instead of anger

Because when I’m having a hard time
I don’t need someone to punish me
I need someone to understand me

So that’s what I’m trying to be for her
Even when it’s hard
Especially when it’s hard

Because she’s not giving me a hard time
She’s having one

And I’m learning to be the calm in her storm