Recently, my sister-in-law welcomed her second little one into the world—a hefty 10 pounds and 12 ounces! Holding that adorable bundle brought back a flood of memories from the baby days, and I might have gotten a little teary as I cradled that chubby cherub. But it wasn’t tears of longing for another baby; that ship has sailed thanks to some well-timed snips on my husband’s part. No, I got misty because I remembered just how incredibly easy babies are compared to toddlers.
I have a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old, and honestly, I’d happily trade them for a newborn—yes, even one that cries incessantly. When a baby cries, it’s usually for a clear reason: they’re hungry, tired, or need a diaper change. I can relate to those needs; I’ve shed tears for the same reasons myself. (Ever tried to work out during that time of the month and ended up peeing yourself doing jumping jacks? Yeah, that’s a totally valid reason to cry.)
Toddlers, on the other hand? Their reasons for crying are downright baffling. Just today, my daughter wailed because my son “stole” her imaginary rocket ship. That’s right—she was crying over something that doesn’t even exist! The parenting books certainly don’t prepare you for this. No one tells you they could weep over spilled milk, or even because their cereal is in the wrong bowl. And if you dare to help them put on their shoes, watch out! You’re met with screams because you did exactly what they asked. The horror!
And let’s talk about how effortlessly babies entertain themselves. They can just lie in their crib, gaze at the ceiling or maybe a colorful toy, and be completely content. They’re the easiest beings to please. You don’t even have to engage them all the time—they’re just happy observing the world quietly.
Toddlers are the complete opposite. They can’t sit still for more than two seconds without wriggling or shouting. It’s as if they fear their muscles might explode if they’re not constantly in motion! And when they do decide to sit, they somehow manage to be loud about it. I never knew you could make so much noise just by sitting in a chair, but here we are. Plus, every few moments, one of my kids is yelling, “Mom! Look at this!” They expect your undivided attention without fail, and it’s utterly exhausting.
Then there’s feeding. With a baby, you can simply offer a breast or a bottle and move on with your day. They don’t complain about the taste or throw tantrums over their food. They just drink, burp, and go back to being adorable. Toddlers? Not so much. They can turn a simple meal into a dramatic affair, insisting they “hate” whatever you’ve lovingly prepared.
I adore my kids, and I appreciate their ability to play and communicate. Yet, some days, I find myself wishing I could hold a baby again—one that doesn’t argue, doesn’t negotiate who gets the last yogurt, and certainly doesn’t demand I “watch this!” for the umpteenth time before I’ve had my first cup of coffee.
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In summary, while I love my toddlers and all their spirited antics, there are moments when I deeply miss the simplicity of babyhood. Babies are straightforward, cuddly, and a lot less complicated than their older counterparts.