ChiChi sat tightly on Mom’s lap, her tiny arms wrapped around Mom’s body with surprising strength. Today, she was not playful or gentle. She was angry—deeply angry—and she made sure everyone knew it. Every time Mom tried to place her down, ChiChi screamed sharply and pulled herself back up, refusing to touch the ground.
Her small face was red, eyes filled with tears and frustration. To ChiChi, Mom’s lap was the only safe place. The floor felt like abandonment. She shook her head again and again, letting out loud cries that echoed her fear of being separated. Her grip tightened, claws gently digging into Mom’s clothes as if to say, “Don’t let go.”
Mom stayed calm, even though her arms were tired. She stroked ChiChi’s back softly, whispering reassurance. But ChiChi wasn’t ready to listen. She pushed against Mom’s hands, lifting her legs to avoid being placed down. Each attempt ended in louder cries and stronger resistance.
ChiChi’s anger wasn’t just stubbornness—it was emotion. She wanted closeness, warmth, and attention, all at once. Being put down felt like rejection to her sensitive heart. Her body trembled as she cried, showing how deeply she depended on Mom’s presence.
Instead of forcing her, Mom paused. She held ChiChi quietly, allowing her to calm down in her own time. Slowly, the screams softened into whimpers. ChiChi rested her head against Mom’s chest, still refusing to go down but no longer fighting.
After a while, curiosity replaced anger. ChiChi looked around, loosened her grip slightly, and took a deep breath. The storm inside her began to fade. Though she didn’t go down right away, she learned something important—Mom wasn’t leaving.
That moment showed how powerful a baby’s emotions can be. Sometimes, refusing to let go isn’t misbehavior. It’s love mixed with fear, holding on as tightly as possible.
