My Toddler Can Be Quite the Little Rascal, and It’s Not My Fault

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Everyone has that one friend who always seems to need an alibi. You know the type: “He’s usually pretty cool,” or “You just have to get used to his humor.” But after a while, it becomes clear that maybe it’s time for that friend to own up to their behavior. Lately, I’ve felt that way about my son.

I won’t sugarcoat it: sometimes, he’s a handful. Sure, most days he’s the happy little guy we love, but the last few months have brought more than their fair share of challenges. Initially, when we’d be out with friends and he’d start acting up, I’d scramble to explain his behavior. “He missed his nap!” “He’s cutting teeth!” “He’s just hungry!” “Those lights are too bright for him!” “Feeding him after midnight? Major faux pas!”

But now, I’m ready to call it like it is. Sure, you can’t truly blame a toddler for being a toddler. However, I’ve decided it’s time to stop making excuses. After enduring the ups and downs of his terrible twos, I’ve realized it’s not always my fault. Sorry, buddy, but at times, it’s all you.

Just yesterday, I was hanging out at a local bar with some buddies when my partner, Lisa, strolled in with our son, Charlie. He hadn’t met everyone yet, but normally, he warms up quickly. Unfortunately, he’s been leaning into his “terrible” phase, and after a few minutes of hiding behind Lisa, he erupted into screams whenever anyone dared to look his way.

As a seasoned pro at managing these meltdowns, I’ve stopped trying to gloss over it. Instead of offering excuses, I told everyone straight up, “Don’t mind him; he’s in full tantrum mode these days. It’s nothing personal—he’s just being a bit of a brat.”

It feels surprisingly freeing to adopt this new perspective. Of course, there’s a fine line between not making excuses for his behavior and letting him run wild, and I’m not advocating for the latter. We still discipline him and take responsibility for shaping the person he’ll become. However, the terrible twos are universal, a rite of passage for every parent, regardless of their parenting style. We just have to weather the storm together and stop letting him off the hook.

If he keeps this up, he might find himself on the excluded list at every family gathering.

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In summary, while toddlers can be challenging, it’s essential to recognize their individuality and allow them to face the consequences of their actions. It’s all part of growing up!