I don't like you anymore

It finally happened. My son uttered those words to me that every parent dreads. I prepared myself for this moment.

I knew it was inevitable. I had listened to various people with older kids describe those moments. I agreed and reassured them that it was just a phrase - that they didn't mean it. I noted what I would tell myself when I first heard those words from one of my kids. Then it happened to me.

"I don't like you anymore."

It didn't happen when I told Christopher he couldn't watch his movie in the car ride home from daycare.

It didn't happen when I told Christopher, no his underwear is not a hat and he needed to put them on the right way.

It didn't happen when I told Christopher he had to wait to eat his sucker until after dinner.

It was on a car ride home from daycare when Christopher asked me, "Mom, maybe one day I will get a brother." I said, "No, buddy. I don't think you will get a brother." Then, then it happened.

"I don't like you anymore, Mom."

And to pour salt into my wound, he then said "I don't want to play with you anymore, either."