Okay, hands up if you're parenting a toddler. Now, check if you're still functional and sane. It's the last month of the quarter, and I managed to stay in one piece! It's April 1st, parenting toddlers can sometimes feel like an everyday April fool's day.
Whenever I search online about parenting, I would find either one of two things- "becoming a parent is the best thing that ever happened to me" or "parenting is hard" themes. So which one is which?
I have here my Top 10 Parenting Toddlers GIFs to illustrate what parenting my 2-year-old is like for me.
- Me talking non-stop about the WHAT and WHAT-NOT, and not get listened to.
- Sleep is for the weak.
- I am the boss!
In case you're wondering, that's your toddler's line; not yours. Toddlers are bossy little creatures who are so good at bossing you around like .. a boss! Yup, "I want that!", "that's mine!", "give me that!", "No!" are some my little boy's favorite lines.
- You crave for some 'alone time'.
These tiny humans are the 'clingies.' You just cannot do anything without them interfering. They follow you around, and they got their eyes fixed on you. You're lucky enough if they let you use the toilet for a few minutes, heck they even want to watch and laugh while you pee or poo- that makes them not just 'clingies' but also 'grossies.'
- You do not have time for anything.
- You're friends think you have ditched them or vice versa.
Your friends call for a get-together, and you do not even think if you could make it, you know it's an outright no. Some of them think you are avoiding them, and later on, they might just start avoiding you.
It's great if your friends are #teamtoddlerparents too because for sure they understand. Parents with really young kids do want to hang out, for all you know they need a break too. It's really troublesome if they would have to bring their toddlers out with them. It may get difficult looking after a little one in the confines of your home, let alone outside of the house.
- He-loves-me-he-loves-me-not.
- You think your child is the most beautiful of them all.
Parents, be honest now, you all think your child is the best, and you will always be the proudest. You share your toddler's first painting, first day at the summer camp photo, first muddy puddle jump, first anything. Especially at this time when people can share anything in social media, you make sure everyone you know knows your child's achievements and how beautiful your little munchkins are.
- Know that there is no foolproof way to do it.
What works for one family may not necessarily work for you. All those tips and hacks to parenting and how it's supposed to be done readings you might just find on the internet or books may or may not be suitable for you. Remember, your child, your rules. I always emphasize this to parents who keep on asking me how I do it with my little one to always make sure to come from a place of love, and surely you will never go wrong.
- You're doing great, so far.
Finally, know that you are doing a fantastic job by merely trying to be the best parent that you can be to your child. We all already know that despite the happy and the beautiful, parenting, in general, is not a walk in the park. You need to affirm yourselves as parents that you are doing well. Your children know what great parents you are, and that whatever you do for them, you do for their own good.
So that's it for me. Parenting toddlers is truly both fun and hard. Can I get an amen?