Exciting. Nerve-wracking. Surprising. But I think Jerry Steinfield painted it more better,
“Life with a toddler is like using a blender without the lid on.”
You get the picture now. End of the article.
Seriously speaking though, let me sum up my life right now.
A lot of high pitched “Mommy!”.
I don’t know what this age is about but kids start to prefer the higher DO when talking. We need to be careful and learn to train them to use their normal speaking voice when communicating. I know most of the time it is more convenient to give-in even just once to the whining but doing so will only amplify the problem.
Two-year old is moldable. That’s the good news. We parents need to be responsible in identifying what is acceptable behavior from what is not. Reward the good and discourage the bad.
Me and mine are overused.
Even my neighbor’s lawn is hers. I have to be honest that most of the time I find her temperament amusing (who can resist those googly eyes?) but this is something we need to address even at this early age. If tolerated, we might nurture selfishness in our angel’s heart. Although quite difficult, we need to teach them to share and be selfless.
I have a mini shadow.
She wears my wedge and my bag and pretends to go to the office. She wiggles when I dance and hums the songs I sing to her. She puts wax on her hair. Screw her car toy as her dad does. And yes, she echoes the words we used even a few weeks back.
Moral? Be a good role model. We need to be more careful with the way we speak especially with the words we say. I personally think it’s a good thing for the family as well. There is a conscious effort in every member of the household to be more compassionate. Kids will learn more from our actions more than our words.
And a little helper too.
Kids this age love to get involved. They also want to chop a carrot when mommy is preparing a meal. Pour you a glass of water or throw a garbage (and sometimes toys too) to the bin.
It’s the perfect time to introduce them to work. Encourage this behavior. Allow them to do little tasks like picking up their toys. Consider this an obedience training as well.
My house is an artwork.
Crayons and lipstick stains become my wall paint. Chairs are often rearranged. Closet rummaged. Bags are stuffed with toys and trash. I got a little tornado going on every day. Though sometimes cute, it can be a little stressful especially if I come home from the office, I need to teach her boundaries and offer alternative things she can work on to channel all these “creativity”.
Out of this world conversations.
Some kids are now able to speak in sentences. I get to go home to an eager story-teller who shares about the lizard she saw, the movie she watched or the baby next door whom she’s fond of playing with.
Expect the conversation to jump from one topic to the next mixing all the words she knows to tell you a story. Avoid baby talks. She may not be able to get all the words right but she understands more words than she can say.
Walking becomes mainstream.
It’s all about jumping, climbing and everything aero gymnastics. I don’t know where all these energy come from but it’s contagious. The outdoors is one of the good places to let all the energy out. Our family walks often turn into an almost marathon. But hey, though it’s tiring, it’s one of the precious moments we parents cherish the most. Be a child with your child.
There goes the strong-willed NO.
Basically, she knows now that she’s a separate being from mommy and daddy and can do what she likes. She perfected the way mommy says NO when she does not want to do things.
Though most of the time I cannot stop myself from secretly laughing, kids should not be given the idea that this is okay. Given that a toddler is still on training stage, it is our responsibility to let them know what they need to do and need not to do.
I get a shower of hugs and kisses.
This is the best part of it all. After all the whines, the artworks and the energy, my two-year old never misses a day without hugging or kissing mommy and daddy.
I guess, all the actions and drama are her ways of saying, “I’m happy I’m spending my time with you.”
Everyday is an opportunity to learn.
Even though I’m the parent, I can honestly say that my child teach me more things than I teach her. I learn patience, compassion and forgiveness. Despite the stress and the obvious energy and mind-draining work-out, I still would not change it for the world.
How is your life like with a two-year old?