As parents, we often like to think we’re the ones in charge, right? We set the rules and expect obedience. But then there’s that pint-sized powerhouse in our home, my 2-year-old, who has taken over as the true ruler of the roost. And believe me, he’s fully aware of his authority.
1. Morning Wake-Up Calls
The day of his toddler bed transition marked the beginning of his reign. Now that he’s free from confinement, he wakes up at whatever hour suits him and dashes around the house. Our attempts to coax him back to bed are usually fruitless. So, we surrender and allow him to join us, where he spends the next 45 minutes playing with our phones and climbing all over us. And toddler locks? Please! He dismantled that on day one and handed it back to me as if to say, “Nice try, Mom!”
2. Food Heist Expert
When it comes to food, if he sees something he wants, he’s not shy about taking it. So, if you’re snacking, you’d better do it quickly. As for the coveted fruit snacks? He simply drags over a chair to access the high-up snack cabinet, which was supposed to be out of reach.
3. TV and Movie Master
Just the other day, I tried to enforce a snack ban before dinner and told him he couldn’t watch another movie. I went upstairs to sort laundry, only to return and find him on the couch, munching on Doritos while watching Despicable Me. With a cheeky grin, he declared, “Me put on Mickable Me movie, Mommy. Me have snack too.”
4. Nap Time Rebel
Naptime? More like playtime for him! He spends the whole duration banging on his door and turning the light back on. I often find myself holding the door shut, but it’s a losing battle against this tiny T-Rex.
5. No Nap, No Problem (for Him)
Eventually, I give in and let him skip the nap. This leads to a 5 PM meltdown where he refuses dinner, yet fights bedtime with all his might, turning into a tiny tornado of chaos as I try to wrangle him into submission.
6. Getting His Way
He knows how to work it. Whether it’s me, his siblings, or even the grandparents, everyone tends to give in to avoid the impending tantrum. The cashier at the store once said, “It’s OK, he can have two…or three…” as he reached for multiple suckers, her eyes wide with trepidation.
7. Fearless Little Dictator
While his older siblings are learning to ride bikes, he zooms off on his Big Wheel before I can catch him. He leaps from the dining room table and is always ready to wrestle anyone, regardless of their size. He runs everywhere, heedless of my warnings, and frequently comes back with scrapes and bruises.
Rules, boundaries, and requests? Not in his vocabulary. He’s the boss, and we’re all just trying to keep up with his unpredictable antics. The rest of us—his loyal subjects—can only brace ourselves for whatever he’ll think of next.
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Summary
: My toddler is the undeniable boss of our household, running the show with his antics and demands. From waking us up at dawn to commandeering our snacks, his fearless and playful spirit keeps us on our toes.