I’ve been meaning to share my thoughts on this topic for a while now—actually, I’ve been wanting to write anything at all! But time is of the essence, as my 19-month-old is on the verge of doing any number of mischievous things:
- Digging through the trash in search of a snack
- Trying to remove the electrical outlet covers, with varying results
- Experimenting with the oven
- Playing chef on the stove
- Hunting for a steak knife hidden in the dishwasher, potentially creating a Barbie hostage crisis
- Mastering the art of resisting sleep like an Olympic champion
- Breaking childproof locks off cabinets through sheer willpower
- Relocating my car keys to undisclosed areas of the house
Maybe I’ve lost a bit of my sanity in the past year and a half, but I distinctly remember hearing certain generalizations about third children while I was pregnant:
- “They just go with the flow; they have to!”
- “They’re soooo mellow!”
Interesting observations, I think, but the word nonsense also springs to mind.
I know that stereotypes are oversimplifications, but I can’t help but feel these are the same folks who assured me I’d someday forget the agony of childbirth or that a single square of chocolate could satisfy my cravings.
I’ve taken every precaution with my third child that I didn’t with my first two. My cabinets are childproofed, outlets secured, and doors shut when not in use. I might have even rolled my eyes at parents who did these things before. (Guilty as charged!)
I admire my little guy’s tenacity and his mission to leave a lasting impact on our family. His strategy seems to consist of four main elements:
- Stay awake at all costs
- Create a unique path of chaos
- Relocate anything important to top-secret toddler hideouts
- Maintain a constant grip on the colander
Yes, you heard that right. While some kids cling to security blankets, mine treasures a pasta strainer. Forget about kid-sized cookware; he only wants the real deal. So, when he’s brandishing that colander, be prepared for 31 pounds of pure toddler fury if you even think about taking it away from him.
When he’s not engaged in a dramatic showdown with kitchenware, he can be found collecting and hoarding all sorts of items—DVDs, princess accessories, or spices—tucked away in unexpected places. Just yesterday, as I was about to toss out an old gift box from Christmas, I discovered my paprika, a pair of sunglasses, my older son’s overdue library book, and some half-eaten crackers inside.
And as for how many minutes I spend daily searching for the remote control? Thanks to him, we’ve significantly reduced our screen time!
So, the idea that third kids are easygoing? Not true. He craves being part of the action, wanting to dive into the chaos of his older siblings, their noise, their games. He is anything but mellow—he’s all about being busy, busy, busy and demands to be held, not wanting to miss a single moment.
Yet, once in a rare blue moon, he pauses just long enough for me to find my keys and clean out the colander.
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In summary, the stereotype of the laid-back third child is far from reality. They are energetic, curious, and always ready to stir up some fun—never one to simply go with the flow.