The Complexity of Toddlers!

     I ran across an article on Parenting.com that demanded I beckon my husband downstairs to share the hysteria and the laughter with me. Jokingly, the article explained "strange toddler behaviors," to which anyone with a child under 3 (and maybe a few even older than that) can easily relate. And in a very odd, comforting way, this article quickly reminded me that my oldest child (approaching her 3rd birthday in just 2 months) is absolutely, positively, completely, unequivocally....NORMAL.

     What are some things that might upset a toddler? Parenting.com recommends taking a ride on their "wheel of unacceptability." You might land on items such as: music is too loud, music is too quiet, diaper has the wrong licensed character on the front of it, blanket is not completely covering toddler's left pinky toe, or stuffed animals may be arranged incorrectly. Sound familiar to anyone? I'm sure everyone could add more of their own to this list!

     Or maybe you have found yourself trying to wrestle your child into their car seat at one time or another. Right now, my daughter wants to do it all by herself, including the climbing in, buckling, and tightening of the seat. She's a big girl, you know. Parenting.com shows a comic-strip type page of scenarios your child may create to resist getting into the car seat. Is your child a limp noodle, making it nearly impossible for you to position them in the car seat? Sometimes your child may be known as a "twister," refusing to turn around facing forward so that you can strap them in. My daughter has chosen the way of the rod on occasion, where she is as stiff as a board, refusing to bend. As if getting our children into these roller-coaster type car seats wasn't bad enough, the kids really make us work to get them in there!

Young children sure make life interesting, don't they? In the midst of these crazy moments that make us throw our hands up and say, "What?!", we must remember that these children are just that. Children. They are young. They are learning. And it is our responsibility and privilege to be patient with them and teach them how to handle their strong, little emotions. And try not to laugh when they do and say some pretty hilarious things (because you know they do!).

     Tell us why you love the little people in your life! What makes them special and unique to you?