As I find myself on my knees scrubbing the kitchen floor with a dish towel, mopping up the water spilled by my two and three-year-olds—who seem to believe that repeatedly tipping over their cups is an enjoyable pastime—the only thought racing through my mind is, “What on earth is happening here?”
This isn’t the first incident today, nor will it be the last. Each day, I clench my jaw to prevent these thoughts from escaping my lips, as they play on repeat in my mind like a mantra I didn’t sign up for. The last thing I want is for my articulate three-year-old to waltz into her preschool classroom and innocently exclaim, “What on earth is wrong with you?” I can only imagine how quickly that would escalate my position on the prayer list for “Parents in Need of Guidance and Grace.”
Honestly, though, what is the deal with toddlers? When my two-year-old arches his back and screams as if I’m causing him great harm while securing him in his car seat, I can’t help but wonder, “What on earth is going on?”
Walking into a room to discover a diaper-less toddler enthusiastically using his feces as a medium for a unique wall art installation is nothing short of shocking. My eyes widen in disbelief, and I feel my heart race as I internally scream, “What on earth is happening?”
Then there’s my three-year-old, proudly calling out from the bathroom that she has gone potty “all by herself.” I enter to find her squatting in a pool of pee on the floor next to the toilet. With my hair slightly frayed from the chaos, I bite my tongue to suppress the urge to yell, “What on earth is going on?”
I struggle to comprehend these small beings whose daily mission appears to be tearing through my house like miniature tornadoes, leaving chaos in their wake. My jeans and leggings are starting to wear out at the knees from constantly cleaning up after them—day in and day out.
Initially, I thought it was just my children; perhaps they had inherited some defective genes, or maybe my caffeine consumption during pregnancy was to blame for their wild antics. However, after observing enough toddlers, it’s clear they all have their fair share of bewildering moments that leave us questioning their logic. Some of us are even bold enough to voice those thoughts out loud.
While I consider myself a reasonably intelligent person who can typically navigate life’s challenges, parenting continues to baffle me. I’ve managed to survive with two under two while dealing with postpartum depression, managing to retain a shred of sanity. I like to think of myself as a seasoned mother.
Despite my experiences in keeping two little ones thriving and caring for myself, I still have yet to grasp what is truly going on with toddlers. It might just be one of those mysteries of life that remains unsolved. Perhaps, in the future, a scientist will uncover the truth I seek. Until then, I will continue to ponder—several times a day—what exactly is the deal with toddlers?
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In summary, navigating the unpredictable world of toddlers can be a daunting task for even the most seasoned parents. Their antics often leave us baffled, questioning their logic and behavior. Yet, understanding that this chaos is a shared experience among parents can provide some comfort.