Having a spirited child can be both a joy and a challenge. My daughter, Lily, is 2 years old, and among my three children, she’s easily the most energetic and unpredictable. This isn’t to say my other kids haven’t tested my patience; my eldest, Max, was notorious for being a light sleeper. Getting him to stay asleep for more than a few hours felt like a monumental feat. Then there’s Zoe, my middle child, who seemed to have a knack for getting into minor accidents—she was the first of my kids to have a trip to the ER. Always climbing, always on the edge of mischief.
But Lily? She’s an entirely different adventure.
She’s undeniably cute, with golden locks that we often style into playful pigtails. Her voice is a delightful blend of cartoonish charm and melodious notes, and her smile is both sweet and slightly mischievous. Yet, she has a mind of her own and a spirit that’s hard to contain.
Whether it’s sprinting down the aisles at church with me in hot pursuit or tugging at the faux plants in the doctor’s waiting room, her energy knows no bounds. Just when I think I’ve parked the shopping cart far enough away, she manages to snag a jar of spaghetti sauce, sending it crashing to the ground.
The most challenging aspect of Lily is her stealth. Rather than throwing tantrums, she simply moves on to her next target. I take away a crayon, and before I can even close the drawer, she’s found a doll stroller and is aiming for the TV screen.
Now, I know this behavior is typical for toddlers—after all, the “terrible twos” is a well-known phrase for a reason. But that doesn’t lessen the embarrassment I feel when she inadvertently turns my living room into a disaster zone. It’s downright exhausting.
Maybe it’s because I’m older now. I had my first two kids in my mid-20s, but now I’m in my mid-30s, and keeping up with a whirlwind like Lily is a different ballgame. It’s not that I’m ancient, but I certainly feel the difference when I’m chasing her around.
However, here’s the reality of parenting: no matter your age, you have to keep up with your little ones. Whether it’s late nights or chasing after toddlers, that’s just part of the deal. Parenting a toddler involves countless lessons about safety and behavior across various environments, until you feel comfortable enough to take your eyes off them for more than a moment without worrying about what they might break or where they might wander.
This is why parents of young children often favor sweatpants over jeans, why hair goes uncombed, and makeup is a rare occurrence. They’re simply too worn out from the constant vigilance required to keep their little ones safe. A quick shower can feel like a luxury, knowing that in those few minutes, your toddler might discover how to turn on the microwave or create a new art project on the living room wall.
While this might sound daunting to those without kids, it’s not all bad. Yes, it’s tiring and yes, Lily is a handful. I often hesitate to leave her with others, feeling sympathy for anyone who has to manage her antics. Yet, when I look back at the toddler years, I can’t help but smile. I miss their curiosity, the way their chubby cheeks would light up at the simplest things, and their little hands clasping mine. There’s something incredibly special about toddlers; no matter how challenging they may be, your love for them is unwavering. They truly are your best buddies, and in their eyes, you are their whole world.
Perhaps this instinctual love for our toddlers is a genetic gift or perhaps it’s a divine mechanism to ensure we don’t throw in the towel on parenting altogether. Either way, it works, making every chaotic moment with a spirited, high-energy child worth it.
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