As I crouch down, mopping up the tile floor with a kitchen towel, cleaning up yet another mess created by my 2 and 3-year-olds who seem to find joy in repeatedly dropping their cups, I can’t help but think, “What on Earth is up with you?” This isn’t the first time today that this thought has crossed my mind, and I know it won’t be the last. Each day, I find myself clenching my jaw to keep those words from escaping my lips as they echo in my head like a parental mantra. The last thing I want is for my chatty 3-year-old to waltz into her preschool class and ask her teacher, “What on Earth is up with you?” That would surely land me at the top of the prayer list under “Parents in Dire Need of Guidance.”
But seriously, what is up with toddlers?
As my 2-year-old throws his back and screams like I’m torturing him while I buckle him into his car seat, I can’t help but think, What on Earth is up with you?
I walk into a room to discover my diaper-free toddler, with a hand covered in poop, creating his own version of a feces artwork on my white wall. My eyes widen in disbelief, and I feel like they might pop out of my head like something from a classic cartoon. Again, in my mind: What on Earth is up with you?
Then there’s my 3-year-old, calling out to me from the bathroom in a cheerful tone because she went potty “all by herself.” I rush in to find her squatting in a puddle of pee next to the toilet. I tug at my hair (it’s no wonder it’s thinning) and bite my tongue to hold back a loud, “What on Earth is up with you?!”
I just don’t understand these little beings whose daily mission seems to be to tornado through my home, leaving chaos in their wake. My jeans have started to fade at the knees from all the time I spend cleaning up messes—day after day.
I once thought it was just my kids, that maybe their genes were a little off, or perhaps my caffeine consumption during pregnancy was to blame. But after spending time with other toddlers, I’ve come to realize they all have their “What on Earth?” moments. They all do things that leave us wondering, and some of us are brave enough to say it out loud.
I like to think of myself as a capable person who can usually tackle life’s challenges. I’ve made it through the chaos of having two under two while dealing with postpartum struggles, and I’ve managed to keep a shred of sanity. I’d like to consider myself a seasoned mom.
Yet, while I’ve figured out how to keep two little humans alive and tend to my own needs, I still can’t grasp what on Earth is up with toddlers. Maybe it’s a mystery of life that won’t ever be solved. Perhaps one day, a scientist will unveil the answers I seek. Until then, I’ll continue to ponder, time and again, just what on Earth is up with toddlers?
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Summary:
In this light-hearted exploration of parenting, the author shares the chaotic and often bewildering experiences of raising toddlers. From messy mishaps to puzzling behaviors, the article highlights the universal frustrations faced by parents while maintaining a humorous tone. It reflects on the mysteries of toddlerhood, leaving parents to wonder what truly goes on in their little ones’ minds.