“Am I a bad kid?” 

Annabella asked me this after she spilled a tub of water melon slices at the grocery store. She was trying to be helpful, and she threw it in the cart but it opened and spilled everywhere. 

No, baby. You’re not a bad kid. Accidents happen. 

We’ve had a rough week. I’ve run out of patience with her, she’s fought me on everything. I’ve said things to her that no child should have to hear. I’ve wanted to quit being a mom altogether. They need someone better than me to be their mama. 

I told her she was a bad kid after a particularly difficult moment earlier this week.

But she told me through tears that I was the best mama ever. 

And yeah, there was more to it all that I’m not quite ready to share. But this kid has turned around since the beginning of this week. From fighting me to helping me. From yelling at me to being sweet with me. 

She’s not a bad kid. She’s the best kid ever. I don’t deserve her. And I’m not the best mama ever, but I am trying.