It was a quiet Sunday evening when I found myself alone with my 3-year-old daughter, Luna, who is essentially a tiny whirlwind. My partner was busy with church commitments, and my older kids were spending time with their grandparents. My sole responsibility was to calm Luna down and get her to sleep, a task that often feels like trying to soothe a caffeinated raccoon.
Luna began her evening by sending her leftover dinner flying off the table. I had intended to tidy up after settling her, but the mess demanded immediate attention. As I rushed to clear the table, I noticed Luna had taken it upon herself to empty her dresser drawers. After a brief struggle, I managed to distract her with a movie and created a makeshift bed on the floor—because let’s be honest, toddlers often prefer the ground to their actual beds.
Though she insisted on watching “Curious George,” her energy was still bubbling over, and she was on the lookout for mischief. What finally helped her wind down was my presence beside her. Every time she sat up, I gently coaxed her back down, whispering “night-night.” She giggled, turning it into a game, and after a good half hour of this playful tug-of-war, she began to fall asleep.
As I lay next to this bright-eyed bundle of joy, I felt something strange: a strawberry nestled in my pants. Yes, a strawberry. Where it came from, I couldn’t say—perhaps it was a casualty of my table-clearing or a sneaky act of Luna’s mischief. Regardless, I was left bewildered.
As Luna stirred again, I remained by her side, grappling with the remnants of the strawberry in my pants while also feeling a profound exhaustion—a fatigue that only parents of spirited children truly understand. I imagine every parent with a wild child knows this overwhelming fatigue that comes after a day of chasing after a non-stop, curious little person. Our first two kids were lively, but Luna is a whole different ballgame.
The running joke in our household is that if Luna had been our first, she might have been our last. Yet, as I lay there beside her, I couldn’t help but reflect on the immense love I felt for her. I cherished her laughter and began to contemplate all the lessons I’ve learned through my journey as her parent.
Lessons Learned
Many insights were quite apparent. At 35, I’ve discovered I have more stamina than I did at 25. My reflexes have sharpened dramatically, thanks to constantly preventing this little climber from tumbling off furniture. I’ve developed an extraordinary amount of patience—especially after she’s broken two laptops, submerged her grandmother’s phone in the toilet, and shattered a tablet with a kaleidoscope (impressive, right?).
I’ve built upper body strength from wrestling with her clothes as she insists on being a nudist. And I’ve found humor in situations I never thought I would. Just last week, she scratched an itch and then snuck up beside me, sticking her hand in my mouth while I was eating. Yes, that really happened.
With a spirited child, sometimes laughter is your only option. The exhaustion from chasing them and the chaos they create can be overwhelming, and humor becomes a necessary coping mechanism—or you might just end up crying. Because of Luna, I’ve learned to find laughter in life’s challenges, whether at work or with family. The volume of her energy makes everything else seem less daunting.
My partner and I have improved our teamwork. We’ve learned to share the load, often anticipating when one of us needs to step in without a word being said. There are moments when I call home, and my partner sounds so frazzled that I wonder if the house might be on fire when I get back.
For a while, I thought I needed to “fix” the chaos, but nothing will change this high-energy 3-year-old besides time and two dedicated parents committed to guiding her into a kind and functional adult while nurturing her spirited nature. I’ve learned to listen to my partner vent, and I can feel the tension lift as she shares her frustrations. It’s all about validating each other’s feelings.
Eventually, Luna drifted into a deep sleep on the floor. I got up, changed into strawberry-free pants, and carefully moved her to her bed. As I laid her down, she kicked a little, and I held my breath, worried she might awaken, only to realize she was still dreaming—probably running off to her next adventure. I tucked her in and kissed her head, pondering what mischief awaited us the next day and how much more I would learn from this incredible little girl.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in exploring more about family dynamics and parenting tips, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination at Rmany. You can also find insightful perspectives on parenting and personal growth at Make a Mom and Mindful Monday, which also provides valuable insights into parenting challenges.
Summary
Parenting a spirited child like Luna brings a whirlwind of challenges and joys. Through laughter and teamwork, parents learn valuable lessons about endurance, patience, and the importance of humor in navigating the chaos of raising a high-energy little one.