As I navigate the tumultuous waters of the terrible twos, I find myself seeking reasons why my toddler’s current phase of tantrums, mood swings, and commanding behavior is far superior to the days of endless diaper changes and sleepless nights. In moments of chaotic madness, like when a staring contest ends with a head-butt and a cheeky grin, I need to remind myself why I’m grateful for this stage over the exhausting demands of infancy. Here’s what I’ve discovered:
- Falling Isn’t So Scary: Babies are delicate little beings, prone to serious injury with every tumble. Just the other day, Max took a spill down some steps, bled from his nose, and only cried because his cookie broke. Thank goodness toddlers are more resilient!
- We Can Communicate: While my toddler, Max, doesn’t always listen, we have a form of understanding. He can express his needs and respond to simple questions like, “Are you hungry?” No more guessing games!
- Sleep is More Attainable: Announcing bedtime often leads to meltdowns, but once the chaos subsides and we’ve read a mountain of bedtime stories, both Max and I can enjoy a solid night’s sleep. Take that, swaddled infants!
- More Independence: With a toddler, I can sit back and observe as he plays at the park, rather than being in a constant state of vigilance over a baby. While he may not always allow it, the option is there, and that’s liberating.
- Helping Hands: After I finish changing Max’s diaper, he can toss it in the trash. He helps with chores, feeds himself, and occasionally picks up his toys (when I ask nicely). Infants, on the other hand, require all the attention.
- Less Anxiety: Infants can be a source of constant worry due to their fragile immune systems and overall vulnerability. But with toddlers, sickness comes and goes, making me less anxious over time. It’s a cycle I’m learning to accept.
- Developing Personalities: There’s a distinct personality emerging from my toddler. Max pretends to be asleep for back rubs, crawls around for attention, dances to music, and even cheers for me with a sweet, “Good job, Mommy!” It’s wonderful to see him grow.
Indeed, I may find myself power-walking home from the park with a protesting toddler under my arm, sweating bullets and justifying that extra glass of wine after dinner, but at least I enjoy longer nights of sleep, some assistance, engaging conversations, and even a touch of praise. After all, it could be worse—I could still be dealing with the challenges of a baby. If you’re curious about pregnancy options and fertility, check out this excellent resource on infertility from the CDC.
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Summary
The terrible twos offer unique benefits over infancy, including better communication, greater independence, and a developing personality. While the phase can be challenging, it also brings longer sleep, assistance from your toddler, and less anxiety compared to caring for a baby. Embrace the journey and remember, it could always be more demanding.