Toddlers can often resemble escapees from a lunatic asylum, demanding a strict diet of mac and cheese and applesauce, while simultaneously feeling free to poke your eyes while you sleep. However, they also embody the raw, unfiltered essence of humanity, acting out our deepest desires that we’ve been conditioned to suppress. Here are several reasons why I have a soft spot for toddlers—at least for mine; yours can be a bit of a handful.
- Incredible Cuties: Even during a full-blown meltdown, it’s hard not to find their tear-streaked, furious faces adorable. How can something so enraged still tug at my heartstrings? It must be a survival mechanism!
- Emotional Beacons: Toddlers feel every emotion intensely. Sure, they might lose their minds if they miss a cow during a car ride, but their capacity for love is equally immense—albeit a little obsessive at times.
- Strength Training: Wrestling them into shoes, clothes, and even for tooth-brushing can be a workout. I’ve learned to hold my tantrum-throwing child at arm’s length to avoid injury during time-outs. My arm muscles have never looked better!
- Present-Mindedness: They truly live in the moment. As a parent, I’ve come to appreciate the little things, like the flowers on the roadside, even while I’m on my knees with a pack of wipes and a reluctant child. And who can forget the spontaneous “I love you Mommy” songs sung in public restrooms?
- Determined Dreamers: Their focus is astonishing! I wish I could bottle my child’s dedication to wearing her tutu with every outfit and sell it.
- Simple Joys: Toddlers find happiness in the simplest things: rocks, water, Tupperware—just about anything can make their day.
- Superhero Status: You’ll never feel as adored as when your toddler clings to you at drop-off while their preschool teacher pries them away.
- Easily Deceived: They’ll buy into the idea that eating vegetables will help them grow strong. They might not always care, but they believe you!
- Endless Excitement: I envy the sheer joy my toddler experiences over mundane activities, like going through a car wash.
- Cuddly Moments: They still crave snuggles and may hilariously mispronounce words, like calling cantaloupe “camel milk.” While their baby phase is fading, today is not the day to correct them—if they show up at kindergarten calling a dump truck a “dumb f*ck,” that’s a lesson for another time!
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In summary, toddlers are unpredictable, lovable little beings who teach us to find joy in the simplest moments of life. They might drive us to the brink of insanity, but their adorable quirks and unfiltered emotions remind us of the beauty in childhood.