sometimes it is hard.
my younger sister, whom i've raised since birth and been her second parent (practically her only, our mother barely does anything) since our dad isnt around, told me something that hurt a lot today. shes 4, almost 5, and she's your typical temperamental toddler. i know she is learning to navigate big girl feelings, so i tend to not get too upset over things she says to me, i just explain that they arent nice. but today i told her it was time for a bath. and she told me
"you aren't my mom." it stung man. like yeah, i know im not. but i've put in so much work with you. i spend as much time as i have to spare with you for fun things, and i make sure you eat, get bathed, and get things you need 24/7. if im not making dinner or using my money, im reminding the actual adult that you have to do those things, feed your kid and buy them clothes and shoes. we bake cookies together, we play soccer, we have christmas crafts planned. we watch movies and sing our favorite BTS songs (its our only common interest). i teach her how to be kind, how to be a good person, how to handle emotions. i parent how i can at 15 years old. and i try my best. i am so busy with school, with my mental health, with my physical illness that overtakes my life 24/7. and i am still giving her all the time i can. i know she didn't mean to hurt my feelings. i know she doesn't know what she said hurt. but god it did. im not her mom but i do the best i can.