Toddlerhood... Beware!

I am starting to realize I am no longer the mother of a baby.  I realize she is growing older every day and I have had a hard time believing so much actually changes in a year.  There is something magical about that first year of life and all of that magic changes after they become independent toddlers.  All of the sudden, I am having to think harder about how I parent.  It's not as instinctual as it was before when it was all about feed, change, sleep, cuddle.  Now I am trying to teach things, listen, follow along, protect, and still feed, change, sleep.  Now days we cry just because we can't have what we want even if it is an electric cord going into the wall.  We cry when we are out of routine.  We cry in the stroller.  We cry getting our diaper changed.  We cry getting our face washed.  I know she's communicating... "No stop... I hate this stupid cars eat" and "I don't want to take my hands off the toilet" and "I want to throw my lunch on the floor for Macy"...  I just know she doesn't understand why she can't have it her way, and she's just expressing that frustration...

Toddlerhood is a different beast than infancy.  It causes me to think about my response and causes me to be mindful that while she's smarter and she can feel like she's trying to get to me, she's not yet that manipulative and she is still somewhat a baby. 

I think this period of transition from baby to child is so interesting and yet so messy.  It's hard to discern as a parant what is the right choice.  It's hard to weigh out, "not teaching her a bad habit" and "being sensitive to her needs".  Of course we, as parents, have a long laundry list of do's and don'ts during toddlerhood, but it feels more gray than "you should breastfeed" because it's better for your baby.  Now there  discipline techniques, sleep techniques, how to feed, how to toilet train, when to transition to a toddler bed, and what toddler shoes have been foot support.  I could read a 1000 books and end up just as confused but with more information.

Being a toddler is frustrating for both of us.  She can't talk in words I understand, and I am sure all of my words don't help explain away her frustration.  We try baby sign language all the time, but sometimes I am not sure we are communicating or just playing "copy me".  Following your gut to teach and love is much harder than it is when you have that tiny, spongy infant.  Some days I feel like we are doing great, and other days we just can't seem to get it right.  It's a messy dance of control and need and routine and love.  It's time consuming and energy draining.  It's love and hate and everything in between. 

We have had some challenging weeks, days, evenings, nights, mornings, and meal times.  We have how blown out diapers, hands in dog bowls, pee in car seats, poop all over, throw up all over, boogers that she refuses to be removed.  We have had styes in eyes and hair bows pulled out.  We have had food on the floor, spit on everything.  We have had spills, thrills, and the chills at one point. 

Being a parent changes everything.  Our leisurely weekends are now filled with swim lessons, park outings, zoo trips, and library runs.  We are trying to avoid television but are drawn to it.  We want to nap but can't seem to get rested.  We want to be healthy but crave eating crap.  Some days are magical, awesome, and so much fun.  It's like life on steroids.  It's always changing.  Just like her up and down moods, we are hanging on to the rollercoaster, and never know what's around the bend. 

I guess all we can do is cling on and pray or let go and enjoy the ride.  We can choose to laugh about the poop, throw up and pee... and spit and spit up and other bodily fluids or we can be upset.  We can encourage one another to keep going or allow misery to enjoy company.  Most days I think we do well letting God be in control and enjoying all parenthood has to offer.  But it's a ride, and it's an intentional choice to enjoy toddlerhood.  In those moments in the quiet restaurant where she screams bloody murder because she wants more of something we are out of or is just mad to sit in her high chair.  Those are those moments where my anxiety climbs into my throat and I have had to ask God to hold me while I hold her. Sometimes I get it under control and we all settle.  Sometimes I pay quickly and walkout flushed, tired, and on edge.  As she's learning, so am I.  I am learning with a Bachelor's in Child Development and a Master's Degree and Marriage and Family Therapy, even I am broken, messy, sinful and selfish at times as a parent.  Even I give ice cream just to sooth our pain.  Even I give in and give up at times.  We all try our best.  I have new respect for all parents because it's hard and some days it's survival.  I have to remind myself, I just have one child who no major issues.  I can't imagine what others go through...

To all those new mommys out there.... enjoy those quiet, sleepy afternoons.  Enjoy bottle or breast feeding quietly in the corner of the public place you are in.  Toddlerhood will soon arrive and all you can do is sit back, smile and enjoy the ride.  It's nap time again and I think I will take a moment to take care of me.  Never know when the ride will start up again :)