All parents harbor a multitude of inner dialogues, and sometimes, one of those voices can be rather harsh. I’m talking about that nagging thought that questions whether my children are truly out of their minds or concocts overly severe punishments, like tossing aside a cherished toy—something I could never actually bring myself to do.
My not-so-nice parental voice has a go-to phrase: “Chill out already!” With a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a nearly 1-year-old, I find myself using it frequently throughout the day. Toddlers are like little balls of energy bouncing off the walls. While enthusiasm is great, it can quickly escalate into overwhelming chaos. More often than not, I silently urge them to just relax—if only in my thoughts for the time being.
“Can I get up yet? What about now?” they ask, as the sun starts peeking through the curtains. I’m exhausted from a long night with the baby, and it’s too early to begin getting ready for our planned activities. A little bit of calm would be much appreciated, so please, kids, just chill out and go back to sleep!
Suddenly, two of them dash over, their words spilling out in a rush. Each is trying to narrate their side of the story, volume increasing to outdo the other. Their rapid-fire chatter feels like a swarm of bees buzzing in my head. I find myself mentally chanting “chill out, chill out, chill out” to drown out the noise.
They’re engrossed in playtime—one with Legos and the other with a Barbie doll. But when things don’t fit together properly or a shoe goes missing, it all falls apart. What was once fun turns into an epic meltdown, complete with crossed arms, stomping feet, and flying toys. If only they could just calm down for a moment, we could resolve this easily.
“You were naughty, and now it’s time for a punishment,” I say, opting for a brief three-minute time-out in their room. But why does it have to turn into a full-blown performance, complete with loud wailing and a dramatic wardrobe change? Seriously, three minutes, just chill out!
At the dinner table, I try to reason with them over mashed potatoes. “It’s just food, not something inedible,” I say as they pretend to gag. The theatrics are more than enough; I need them to settle down and eat their meal.
Grocery shopping can be a breeze until one small “no” triggers an all-out tantrum. I can feel the heat rising in my face as onlookers notice the chaos unfolding. Panic begins to creep in as I brace myself for the inevitable full-body flop onto the store floor. My inner voice begs, “Please, just chill out!”
Yes, even with the baby, this mantra continues. It’s 3:30 a.m., and he’s crying once more. I can hardly keep my eyes open as I glance at the clock. He’s been fed, burped, and changed, so there’s really no reason for the fuss. “Sweetheart, you’re adorable, but it’s time to settle down,” I whisper.
Fortunately, I’ve managed to refrain from voicing these thoughts aloud. Instead, I take a deep breath and try to approach the situation with calmness. Perhaps I’m not just reminding my children to chill out; maybe I’m also reminding myself that this too shall pass. Kids can switch emotions on a dime. I just need to stay composed, give them a moment, and they’ll be back to smiling—at least until the next round of chaos begins.
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Summary
Parenting toddlers can be a whirlwind of emotions, and it’s not uncommon for parents to feel overwhelmed. The article humorously captures the internal struggle of maintaining composure while navigating the chaos that little ones create. Ultimately, it reminds us that patience and understanding can go a long way in managing their unpredictable moods.