What They Don’t Tell You About The “Terrible Twos”

When you are told stories from, or are warned of, the “terrible twos”  your mind probably runs through a series of images like the ones above. And let me tell you, you are 100% correct!  While most have assured me that three will be far worse than two, i thought i’d give some credit to the things that i have noticed with my own toddler that you aren’t told will be part of your adventure with a two year old!

Two is the year he has learned to give the best hugs!

Now, i’m not just talking about sweet little hugs from your child.  I’m talking about those big, running start with arms wide open, throwing his arms around you and squeezing you as tight as he can kind of hugs. It doesn’t matter if we are just sitting at home, daddy just walked through the door or if he wonders away at the park and then comes running back, every time i see my son running at me with a huge smile on his face and his arms wide open, coming in for a big hug, my heart absolutely melts!

Two is the year he has learned to care for others.

This year Colt has really learned to care for and be concerned over the feelings of other people.  I’ve noticed it with his sister getting upset and him brining her blankets and toys in an attempt to sooth her (little does he know that all she really want’s is the boob).  He also pats me on the back or rubs my leg when he sees me getting upset or frustrated, and nothing relaxes your irritation like your toddler blinking his big eyes at you and rubbing your leg!  He also shows concern for other kids, when we are at the park or playgroups, when anyone cries he comes running over to me and makes sure that he points them out, or he will go over to them and pat their backs.

Two is the year he potty trained

This one could be looked at as a pro or con, depending on how hard your child is to potty train.  But even with the accidents, plastic bed sheets, and extra laundry.. It is a huge, and exciting, mile stone that many kids reach while they are in their twos!

Two is the year he actually wanted me to read him bedtime stories.

Before now, Colt would run around the room, pull the book away, flip the pages too quickly, or go straight to sleep.. Anything but sitting with me while i read him a bedtime story. Now he jumps up in my lap and loves to go through bed time books with me – although he still like to flip quickly through the pages.

They still cuddle!

Although it doesn’t happen as often, two year olds still need to cuddle their mommies! Whether they are just exhausted, emotional, or have just gotten an owie.. You will still find that your two year old want to grab a blanket and curl up on your lap. And i promise you, your toddler falling fast asleep on your chest with their arms and legs wrapped around you proves that they are not yet grown up, or independent.. even though they like to act like it.

They days are coming too quickly when our toddlers really will be kids, teenagers and young adults.. when they will want nothing to do with us, they will no longer look to us to kiss their scraped knees, and when it will be many years before they again begin to appreciate our love and direction.    So when your patients run thin, you’re tired of the messes and the tantrums just remember that one day you will give anything to relive some of these precious moments! this is one of the quotes that i absolutely love, it teaches us to cherish even those moments that we think are bothersome.