According to age-old wisdom, it’s said that mothers swiftly forget the agony of childbirth as soon as they cradle their newborns. It’s almost like magic; the moment that little one is placed in their arms, the pain seems to fade away. Some may argue there’s a truth to this, as otherwise, we might hesitate to embark on this journey multiple times. However, in my experience, the discomfort lingered long after the delivery room, especially since I had a C-section and was still grappling with the aftermath of that experience.
Yet, perhaps there is merit to the lore, as I find myself willingly caught up in the whirlwind of parenting once again. But it’s not just the labor pains that fade from memory; it’s the chaotic early days with a toddler that often slip my mind. Each new stage of their development comes with its own challenges, and it’s easy to forget the trials of the previous ones.
With just three years between my youngest and middle child, you would think I’d remember the toddler phase, but it feels like eons have passed since then. Here are 25 things I had forgotten about having a toddler in the house:
- Mealtime is a marathon. Unlike my older kids who take forever to eat because they aren’t fans of my cooking, my toddler requires me to be hands-on, spooning food into her mouth while ensuring she’s actually consuming it instead of creating a mess.
- Trusting them is a luxury I can’t afford. Just when I think I can turn my back, I remember they’re still at an age where everything small enough to fit in their mouth is a serious hazard.
- They have a mission to touch everything. And I mean everything.
- Grocery store outings become a new level of chaos when they figure out how to escape those cart straps. One moment you’re grabbing a can of tomatoes, next you see your toddler proudly standing in the cart, waving like a king.
- The whining. Oh, the endless whining.
- Diaper changes turn into wrestling matches as they twist and turn, making the process feel like a circus act.
- Their opinions emerge loudly, whether it’s about wanting a bath immediately or not wanting to wear pants.
- At adult gatherings, they’re a delightful menace, too big to stay close yet too small to play independently.
- You have to shadow them everywhere, especially in homes that aren’t toddler-proofed. Just wait until they eye those prized golf clubs on display!
- Baby gates become your arch-nemesis. Watch out shins!
- Car seats and strollers are like complex puzzles that test my sanity.
- We live in a fortress of locks and gates. The bathroom door must be closed, cabinets secured with hair ties, and let’s not even talk about the medicine cabinet!
- Finding a babysitter becomes a Herculean task once they’re mobile.
- They have a knack for ruining the games older siblings are playing, which leads to complete chaos.
- Everything must be emptied. Every. Single. Drawer.
- They bulldoze through anything in their path, demonstrating an impressive lack of regard for your freshly folded laundry.
- Teething can be pure agony for both of us.
- Taking them for shots at the doctor is a ritual I dread every few weeks.
- Their fascination with the dog’s food and water is alarming. I can’t be the only one who’s seen them munching on kibble!
- Learning to walk means frequent tumbles, always finding the hardest surfaces to land on, leading to constant bruises and concerned looks from strangers.
- Nothing of value can be left unattended on counters; toddlers seem to have an innate skill for swiping things.
- A 3-foot safety zone at the dinner table is essential to avoid a mac and cheese disaster.
- And just when you think you’ve mastered the art of keeping things tidy, you’ll find a bowl of noodles in your lap and your keys missing.
- Spoiler alert: they’ll end up in the toilet because someone forgot to shut the bathroom door again.
- Most importantly, I forget how fleeting this stage truly is.
Seriously, is there a more exhausting yet ephemeral phase than toddlerhood? Am I really navigating this turbulent sea for the third time? Will there ever be a time without sticky fingers and toddler hugs? I realize I’ve forgotten what life was like without finger paintings cluttering the fridge or nightly story times.
But you know what? I’m okay with that.
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In conclusion, while the chaos of toddler life can be overwhelming, it’s also filled with irreplaceable moments that I cherish despite the challenges.
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