I've heard so much about the famous terrible twos I was afraid of that. I wasn't looking forward to my daughter turning 2. People say it's the worst phase, that you'll be pulling your hair out, that you won't sleep at night anymore, that the Earth will stop spinning…
When I think back on it, it's completely absurd. Yes, I'll admit it—my daughter has entered that wonderful phase. It's tough when your little angel decides to turn into a little devil and test your limits.
But can we see some positives?
Why are you so afraid?
Now that my daughter is almost 2 years old, I can play outside with her and go shopping without always having to bring three bottles of milk and two sets of spare clothes. Her smile is worth all the gold in the world when she discovers something new.
She’s also starting to talk. She knows how to make herself understood. Sometimes my daughter and I even have a good laugh together. It’s all these little things that make me enjoy watching my daughter grow up. My child finally understands when I talk to her. Isn’t that wonderful?
They’re no longer those little bundles of joy who do nothing but sleep, cry, drink, and poop (though, let’s admit it, sometimes we miss those days!). They’re now young children—independent (or not)—who are discovering their personalities and their limits.
I know I'm painting a rosy picture here—there are kids who have terrible twos Some are incredible, and others just aren’t. But I honestly believe we should cherish every stage with our child. Sure, sometimes you’ll want to leave them by the side of the road and/or head off to an all-inclusive resort and come back in 10 years.
But that's the joy of being a parent. Every stage has its downsides. But remember that the positives always outweigh the negatives. The look on their faces when something amazes them, or when you go to any lengths just to hear them laugh out loud, is worth all the gold in the world.
When you find this hard, remember that in 16 years, you'll be freaking out because he or she will be coming home at 3 a.m., and you'll wish they were little again.