Sunlight shone brightly through the windows. All of my toddler’s toys from yesterday’s mess had been put away. My kitchen counter gleamed from being scrubbed clean of toddler fingerprints from the night before. I stood looking out at the childless scene, holding my steaming cup of coffee, proud of my neat and orderly house. I took in a deep breath. And then let go of the air that was creating space in my lungs.
I heard my husband and son upstairs getting ready, feet pounding, laughing voices, and snippets of phrases, “….please. Yes, that’s right…over here…no, not that way…good job!”
I looked up towards the ceiling and kept thinking about the order of my house. When had these things become so important? These mundane, not-fun tasks that I normally didn’t particularly appreciate doing had now become my life’s work, on display (Read more about my life’s purpose here). I pinpointed the answer to becoming a mom to my now-toddler as being a big part of this development.
Privately groaning, I knew the scene I was witnessing downstairs would quickly be upturned. Crumbs would litter the floor. Sticky fingers would smudge my clean kitchen counter. And all the toys Toy Story-style would miraculously find their way into random places around the whole house: under couches, in the laundry basket, and sometimes in the trash (face smack).
I could only smile (as I breathed in and out) because all of this “mess” is part of the process, right?
Learning to let go of ideals and face reality. Trying to separate ourselves from our pre-kids world. Mastering the art of being a cool cucumber while sometimes unwillingly releasing everything I thought I had “control” over.
As my child enters a new age and a new stage, I learn different things about him (and myself). These different stages help me remember he is learning to be a human in this world. I am his teacher, and even if he’s not looking directly at my husband or me, he is looking to us to show him how to behave in this world.
Why do I get so frustrated when my child is merely learning his place in our home? Because it was my home before it was our home. And selfishly, I want him to learn all the lessons without having to teach anything. But that’s not life, and that’s not how I ultimately want it. God gives us our children as gifts to love and raise in how HE wants us to raise them. So, as I learn yet again how selfish I am, I bow down in surrender and open my heart to how my son is such a gift in this season, right now. And I try to see the world through his eyes.
5 Fun Factors of a Toddler
Maybe you can relate?
1.They laugh at the most unexpected time, but their laughter is contagious. After getting frustrated, I am usually laughing right along with my toddler (of course, if it’s appropriate…otherwise I am hiding my smile behind a sudden cough or yawn).
2. They don’t just walk places. They skip-hop-jump, with arms flailing. And it’s the cutest thing. And don’t forget the unexpected face dives as they trip over everything. It’s cute as long as they are laughing and able to right themselves back to standing!
3. Everything is fascinating to them. Sticks, a falling leaf, a new sound. They find delight in the most simple things. And instantly want to share them with anyone who will make eye contact with them.
4. They can show emotions using just two ways of communicating: Smiling-laughing or screaming-grunting-whining. There is no in-between. And make sure you’ve picked up on their “language.” Otherwise, there is no telling what is making them upset.
5. They are so distracted, it’s almost comical. And their distractedness makes it easy to turn the angry, frustrated, disappointed (you name it) ship around before they completely ruin the rest of their day.
So, as my son bounded over the arm of the couch for the 5th time, I had to laugh because he is ultimately teaching me that a clean house is not the most important thing. A laughing, independent, find-his-own-adventure toddler is the key. And while my husband and I are his teachers of this world, he is definitely teaching us his own view of the world. Listening and learning and making his own way through life.
As I think about our day, all the ins and outs, ups and downs, these five ways stand out to me as my toddler teaches me to see the world differently:
1.Plastic bags make the best confetti.
2. Couches are great mountains that need to be climbed.
3. Food is meant to be played with.
4. Outside adventure is the best adventure to have.
5. Simple tasks (like laundry, emptying the dishwasher, cleaning your plate) are so much fun!
When I look through the eyes of my sweet toddler, I see that being at home with him is the best place I can be. My standards and rush-through-the-chore mantra are put on hold as my toddler shows me, in his own style, how everything is fun (or funny) if we hold a different perspective.
Now excuse me while I check to see what new happenings have occurred because my toddler has been quiet for far too long.
Your Turn
Toddlers can be the most frustrating little beings as we learn to communicate with them. Or they can be a wellspring of joy and hilarity as we learn from them. Either way, they are merely learning how to navigate in this world. What is one thing you can do today to help them (as my husband says) “be successful”?
Your toddler is full of fun! How is your own toddler showing you that the house, the backyard, the car, the dinner table is a fun place?
Maybe you need some fresh ideas to help keep the fun “contained” or “orderly.” Here is a great resource to help in creating sensory bins for your little go-getter! The little set up you see in the picture above is my son using his ladder that his Grandma gave him to “wash dishes, fill cups, pour drinks, etc.” He loves being a “big boy” at the sink, participating in all the things he has seen mommy and daddy do!
An infographic that helps us see the world the way a toddler sees it!
