March 19, 2023
The literature, parenting blogs, and seasoned parents often prepare you for the challenges of caring for a newborn. While no one is truly ready to welcome a delicate infant into their home, I believed I had enough knowledge to navigate the journey ahead. I anticipated the difficulties of breastfeeding and knew that employing “rock-paper-scissors” would be necessary to determine who would handle the next diaper disaster.
However, nothing could have equipped me for the whirlwind that is a two-year-old—especially one who is a speed demon.
It wasn’t until my son reached 18 months that I realized I was nurturing a future Olympic athlete. Wherever we ventured, I had to be hyper-aware of every possible exit, narrow passage he could slip through, and the distance between the door and the car.
His running escapades began when I was heavily pregnant. It became increasingly challenging to take him anywhere, as I simply couldn’t keep up. It wasn’t that he was intentionally escaping; he was merely exploring the limits of parks and museums, darting into spaces I couldn’t fit into with my sizeable belly.
Things took a turn for the chaotic after the birth of his baby brother. My son quickly understood that our cumbersome stroller with his sibling made it impossible for me to chase after him up a staircase. Even more alarming was when he discovered the handicap buttons that automatically opened doors.
Oh, dear child, are you unhappy playing at this museum or library? Sure, just go ahead and press that button while running backward, all while grinning and looking into my soul. Feel free to dash directly into the bustling Target parking lot. It doesn’t faze me at all. (Cue the eye roll.)
Fast forward ten months, and my toddler still has the energy of the Energizer Bunny. He has outgrown the “my mom just brought home a new baby, so I’m going to act out” phase and has transitioned to running for the sheer joy of it, all while ironically chanting “walking feet, walking feet!” The most exhausting part of it all is that I’m left breathless from chasing him, with little to show for my efforts. Why don’t I have toned legs like Carrie Underwood from all this running and strong arms like Michelle Obama from lugging him over my shoulder during his fits?
I’m grateful for a son bursting with life, capable of running two miles without a backward glance, but goodness, I’m worn out.
For more insights on parenting and life’s unpredictable journey, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination from Healthline. And if you’re looking for an authority on the subject, visit Make a Mom for their at-home insemination kit. Also, for further reading, we have a related post on our blog that dives deeper into the topic of family planning and insemination methods.
In summary, the journey of parenting a toddler who has an insatiable need for speed is both exhilarating and exhausting. It is a constant test of agility and patience, leaving little time for rest. Being prepared for the unexpected is essential, and while we may not always be ready, we must adapt and embrace the chaos that comes with raising energetic little ones.