Worth it.

On our drive home today after a lunch with a friend, my little one's attitude had reached beyond the max of what this mama can handle. I addressed her from the driver's seat.

"Miah, you've been having a hard time listening to me today, so when we get home you're going to take a nap."

"But, I will listen to you!"

"Oh, good, that will be nice."

She paused a moment, probably unraveling the tale of how these things have gone before. Namely, that when she promises to change something that's already gotten her this far, she still has to lie down. She finally responded.

"I love you mommy, but sometimes I don't. I like you too, but sometimes I don't."

"Oh really? Well that's a bummer, because I always love you. Every day. Even when you don't listen to me. Even when you disobey. Even when you make messies on purpose and forget to be my nice girl. I love you no matter what."

"Even when I cannot listen to you?"

"Yes, even then."

"But what about when I'm whining?"

"Yes, I love you even when I'm telling you to stop doing those things."

"Well, what's gonna make you not love me?"

"Nothing. Nothing will ever, ever happen that will make me not love you. I will always and every day love you, no matter what."

As I unbuckled her from her car seat she lifted her arms up around my neck and said, "I can't believe you will always take care of me!"

I think she got it.