My 8 year old says he hates me

I think we should break it down. 1. how often does he hear the words “I love you” and what type of setting does he hears it in? 2. How or when was he taught about hate? Most children use that word for frustration, and don’t actually mean hate itself. 3. What setting does he used it in? Who all does he say it to?

Fun fact: children normally tell the person they trust the most, and feel the safest with that they hate them. Because they understand that trusted person won’t leave them, even when they’re trying to express themselves. It’s same for when babies are always crying with their mothers but emotionless with other people… It’s a trust thing. In order to actually start on a plan, we have to figure out how and why he started using hate, and understand the intentions behind that word.