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Parenting a Spirited Toddler Is Totally Draining
My daughter, Lila, is 2 years old, and out of my three kids, she’s definitely the most challenging toddler. This isn’t to say my other kids don’t have their quirks. My eldest, Max, was a champion non-sleeper, and getting him to snooze for more than a couple of hours felt like hitting the jackpot. Then there’s Mia, my middle child, who was accident-prone—she was the first to need a trip to the ER, always teetering on the edge of furniture and upending her snack cups.
But Lila? She’s on a whole different level.
She’s absolutely adorable, with her blonde hair styled in playful pigtails and a voice that’s a delightful mix of cartoon character and songbird. Her smile is equal parts sweet and cheeky. But let’s be real—she’s a little whirlwind.
Every Sunday at church, she’s the one sprinting toward the pulpit while I chase after her, desperately trying to prevent her from launching herself onto the organ. At the doctor’s office, she’s the one yanking at the faux plants or sneaking over to the computer to mess up some unsuspecting patient’s file. And no matter how far I push the grocery cart away from the shelves, she’ll manage to snag a bottle of spaghetti sauce and send it crashing to the floor.
The tricky part? She’s like a stealth ninja. Rather than throwing tantrums, she simply finds the next mischief to dive into. If I take away a pen, she’ll grab a doll stroller and try to smash the TV screen in the blink of an eye.
Now, I get that this is all part of the “terrible twos,” but that doesn’t ease my embarrassment when my toddler decides to destroy something. It’s mortifying, 100%.
She moves at lightning speed, and it’s exhausting. I can see the curiosity in her eyes, which is both a blessing and a curse. I want her to be assertive and fearless, but keeping up with her is like running a marathon while juggling. Maybe the issue is that I’m older now. I had my first two kiddos in my mid-20s, and now that I’m in my mid-30s, I just can’t keep up with this little dynamo like I used to.
But here’s the deal: Parenting is relentless. Even if I were in my 60s, I’d still need to chase her around. That’s just how it is. Nighttime wake-ups? That’s parenting. Chasing after a toddler? That’s parenting too. Keeping tiny hands and feet safe is part of the gig.
Raising a toddler is basically a never-ending series of safety lessons in a million different places until you’re confident enough to briefly take your eyes off them without fearing for your belongings or their safety.
And honestly, that’s why parents of young children often live in sweatpants and skip the makeup. They’re too worn out from constantly keeping an eye on their little ones. They know that in the time it takes to do their hair, their toddler could very well figure out how to turn on the microwave or worse. It’s why parents sometimes skip showers for days, or greet delivery people looking like they just rolled out of bed.
Now, for those without kids, this may sound awful, but it’s not all bad. Yes, it’s draining. Yes, Lila can be a handful. Yes, I dread leaving her with anyone else because I feel sorry for them. But at the end of the day, I look back on those wild toddler years with a smile. I miss their innocent curiosity, the rosy cheeks, and those tiny hands grasping my fingers. No matter how much chaos they bring, toddlers have a way of capturing your heart, and the bond you share is irreplaceable.
Maybe it’s in our genes—this overwhelming love for a toddler. Perhaps it’s nature’s way of ensuring we don’t throw in the towel on parenting altogether. Whatever it is, it works, and it makes every minute spent with a spirited, high-energy little person worth it.
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Summary
Parenting a spirited toddler is a wild ride of energy and chaos. While it can be exhausting and embarrassing at times, the love and bond formed during these years are invaluable. It’s a journey filled with lessons, laughter, and unforgettable moments, reminding us that despite the challenges, the joy of parenthood is worth every second.