As I navigate the wild world of the terrible twos, I find myself searching for reasons that make my toddler’s outbursts, mood shifts, and bossy behavior more bearable than those early days of diaper changes and sleepless nights. Because when I’m caught in the crossfire of a tantrum, like when a stare-off ends with a head-butt and a sprinkle of toddler spit, I definitely need reminders of the challenges of having an infant. Surprisingly, I’ve come up with a list that almost convinces me why I prefer wrestling with my active little one over soothing a sleepy newborn:
- Less Fragility: When toddlers tumble, it’s not as scary. Infants are delicate and don’t bounce back like a toddler can. Just the other day, my nephew Alex took a spill down some steps, bled a little from his nose, and his biggest concern was that his cookie broke. What a relief!
- Better Communication: While my little one doesn’t always follow directions, he can express his needs in a way that makes sense. Questions like, “Are you hungry?” get actual responses! It’s a nice change from the guesswork of baby cries.
- More Sleep: Bedtime can lead to epic meltdowns, but once we get through the chaos of reading countless bedtime stories, both of us enjoy a solid night’s sleep. Take that, sweet but sleepless infants!
- A Bit of Freedom: With a toddler, I can relax and watch him play at the park from a distance. Sure, he might not always allow it, but I at least have the option to sit back for a moment while he explores.
- They Help Out: After wrangling with all the messy moments, my toddler can actually pitch in. He throws away his own diaper, helps with dishes, and (if I ask nicely) picks up his toys. Babies, on the other hand, require all the work without any help!
- Worry Less: Infants are prone to all sorts of illnesses and are utterly dependent on us, which can be nerve-wracking. But toddlers get sick, recover, and get sick again, which helps to desensitize those frantic parenting instincts.
- Unique Personalities: Watching my little one’s personality blossom is a joy. He pretends to be asleep for back rubs, dances to any music, and even praises me with a cheerful “Good job, Mommy!” when I do something he likes. It’s heartwarming!
So yes, I may be sweating bullets while racing home with a yelling, squirming 36-pound toddler under my arm, and I might have to justify indulging in a second glass of wine at dinner because “I earned it,” but at least I’m getting a full night’s sleep, a little help around the house, some fun conversations, and even compliments occasionally. After all, it could be worse—I could still be dealing with a baby!
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