My daughter, Chloe, is 2 years old, and among my three kids, she’s easily the most spirited toddler. Now, don’t get me wrong—every child is a handful in their own way. My oldest, Jake, was a sleepless wonder. Getting him to stay asleep for more than a few hours felt like hitting the jackpot. My middle child, Lily, was a little accident magnet. She was the first to visit the ER—always teetering on chairs, and struggling to navigate stairs.
But Chloe? She’s a whole different level of whirlwind.
She’s undeniably cute, with her golden hair often styled into adorable pigtails. Her voice can be likened to a mix of a cartoon character and an angelic songbird. And that smile? It’s both sweet and a bit mischievous. Yet, when it comes down to it, she’s a force of nature.
Every Sunday at church, she’s the one sprinting toward the pulpit while I’m sprinting after her, praying I can prevent her from launching herself onto the organ keys. At the doctor’s office, she’s the one yanking on the faux plants or sneaking off to tap dance on the keyboard, wreaking havoc on a poor patient’s file. And no matter how far I park the shopping cart from the shelves at the grocery store, she’ll somehow manage to snag a jar of spaghetti sauce and send it crashing to the floor.
What makes it even trickier is that Chloe is like a little ninja. She doesn’t throw tantrums; she simply races from one mischief to the next. I take away a pen, and by the time I’ve put it back in the drawer, she’s already grabbed a doll stroller and is aiming for the TV screen.
Now, to be clear, she’s not abnormal—she’s just 2. We’ve all heard of the “terrible twos,” right? But that doesn’t take away from the fact that I feel a pang of embarrassment when my toddler breaks things. It’s a 100% real struggle.
She zooms around at breakneck speed, and keeping up with her is exhausting. I can see the curiosity in her eyes, but this is the double-edged sword of parenting a strong-willed child. I want her to be assertive, to stand up for her ideas, and not to take “no” for an answer. But right now, as her parent, I’m the one feeling completely worn out.
Maybe it’s because I’m older now. I had Jake and Lily when I was in my mid-20s, and now, here I am in my mid-30s. While 30s aren’t ancient, they sure feel it when you’re chasing a toddler around. But let’s face it: parenting is relentless. Whether I’m 30 or 60, I’d still have to keep up with her. Nighttime wake-ups? That’s parenting. Chasing after a toddler? That’s parenting. Trying to keep those tiny hands and feet from getting into trouble? Yup, still parenting.
Raising a toddler is basically a series of lessons in safety and respect across countless locations, until you reach a point where you can confidently look away for more than 10 minutes without fearing they’ll break something—or worse, themselves.
And this, dear friends, is why parents of young children often wear sweatpants, forego hairstyles, and skip makeup unless absolutely necessary. They’re too drained from playing constant surveillance on their little ones. They’re exhausted from the endless cycle of correction and are terrified that during the time it takes to get ready, their toddler may just figure out how to launch the microwave into orbit. It’s why parents go days without a proper shower and greet delivery people looking like they’ve just survived a tornado.
While this may sound horrific to those without kids, it’s not all bad. Yes, it’s tiring. Yes, Chloe is a handful. Yes, I sometimes dread leaving her with others because I feel sorry for them. But looking back at my kids’ chaotic toddler years brings a smile. I miss their curiosity, those chubby rosy cheeks, and the way their tiny hands would tug at my finger. Despite the chaos, there’s an undeniable bond—toddler love is real. They’re your little buddies, and you’re their whole world.
Maybe it’s a genetic thing, this overwhelming love for a toddler. Perhaps it’s nature’s way of ensuring we don’t throw in the towel on parenting altogether. Whatever it is, it works. And that makes having a wild, vibrant, and hyper little person in your life worth every exhausting minute.
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Summary:
Parenting a spirited toddler can be a whirlwind of energy and chaos, leaving parents feeling utterly exhausted. While every child presents unique challenges, the bond formed through these trials is priceless. The ups and downs of raising a curious child are an integral part of the parenting journey, filled with love and laughter despite the occasional mishaps.