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5 Parenting Battles I’m Choosing Not to Fight with My Toddler
As I stand there, exasperated, I find myself questioning, “How many times have I said this?” Then it dawns on me: how many times I’ve asked that very question before. We’ve all heard the saying about insanity—doing the same thing again and again yet expecting different outcomes. Yet here I am, day after day, trying to prevent my toddler from repeating the same antics, with no change in sight.
Parenting a toddler often feels like a survival game, and sometimes that means letting go of certain skirmishes. Here are five battles I’ve decided aren’t worth my energy:
1. “Don’t Climb the Slide.”
We all know the drill at the playground:
Me: “Don’t climb the slide.”
Little One: “Why?”
Me: “Because slides are for going down.”
But seriously, why not? If my kid finds joy in climbing up the slide while waiting their turn and playing nicely, go for it! Just don’t try to climb up during a game of Chutes and Ladders.
2. “Don’t Color on Your Hands.”
When my daughter first reached for a pen, I was thrilled. That excitement quickly faded once she began to color everything but paper—especially her hands. After scrubbing ink off her little fingers for what felt like the hundredth time before my coffee kick-started, I waved the white flag. If my kid wants to rock the doodled look, why not? It’s all part of her artistic journey.
3. “Sit Down and Eat.”
I love food and the idea of sitting down to enjoy it, so I can’t comprehend why my toddler finds it torturous. Now, I’ve stopped searching for answers. If she wants to take a bite and then sprint around the house, who am I to stop her? Meanwhile, I’ll just be here at the princess toddler table, snatching the leftover sweets.
4. “Don’t Make a Mess.”
What is it about tossing toys everywhere that’s so exhilarating for toddlers? Every time my daughter needs one toy from her chest, our living room turns into a disaster zone. I’ve tried explaining that she doesn’t need to empty the entire chest to find one car, but that’s as effective as telling a teenager to clean their room. You win this round, kiddo. At least all those toys on the floor will hide my vacuuming procrastination.
5. “That’s Not What ________ is For.”
Sure, if we’re being technical, couches aren’t for walking on, bubbles shouldn’t be dumped in the bathtub, and stuffed animals aren’t meant to fly across the room. But isn’t toddlerhood about exploration? If my daughter wants to experiment with her toys in unconventional ways, who am I to stop her? At least she’s enjoying herself and I don’t have to remind her for the umpteenth time that my bras aren’t headgear.
These little battles may seem trivial, but they’re part of the adventure of parenting. For more insights into navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood, check out this enlightening piece on intracervicalinsemination.com/blog. Also, if you’re curious about at-home insemination, Make a Mom has excellent resources to guide you on that journey. Additionally, MedlinePlus offers valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, sometimes it’s best to pick your battles wisely for the sake of your sanity and your toddler’s happiness.