A two year old! I wrote a post about this a few months ago, but my son is still two, so you will continue to hear about our escapades. Here is a list of pros and cons associated with having a two year old.
Pros List
Pro #1: Playtime. Playing with a two year old is like working out, minus the monotony, and with the added bonus of laughter! Deep, heartfelt, genuine laughter. Nathan loves to play "tickle tickle," and laughs hysterically when I decide to tickle his over ticklish little thighs. This kind of laughter is contagious. If you hear strange noises coming from the living room, please don't worry. It's just me and Nathan impersonating hyenas, and having the time of our lives.
Pro #2: Curiosity. Nathan is so intrigued by everything around him. He wants to know how it all works. I love to watch his little face as he tries to figure out how to do something, and the look of sheer excitement when he gets it right. "Look momma! I did it! I figured it out!" He even goes so far as to say, "I did it!" My little scientist!
Pro #3 Momma's little helper. Nathaniel loves to help out with things. He is so desperate for approval and trying so hard to do things right, and he learns best through trial and error. Any kind of positive feed back, and his face lights up. Now, a two year old's version of 'helping" may not seem that helpful, but it's the idea that counts. For example, one of Nate's favorite things to help momma do, is dishes. His version of helping is standing on the kitchen chair, and running things under the water. He makes a huge mess, but, he is "helping." The key here, is to remember that by letting Nate help in whatever capacity he is able to, I am not only making him more self-sufficient, but I am teaching him that what he does, and how he does it is important, and that I value him as the cute and sweet boy he is.
Pro #4 Talking. I love to being able to understand a lot of what Nathaniel says. It makes taking care of him a lot easier. Some of my favorite words of his are "nose," which he says with his lips puckered, nose crinkled and very nasaly, "peek a boo," "I love you," which sounds a lot like "I lellow," and "strawberry." He says "strawberry" more like gerry, but you get the idea.
Cons List
Con #1 Playtime. It's exhausting! Nathan has the most energy of any little person I have ever met. He runs around the living room in circles, jumps off the couches, rolls around on the floor, jumps around like a frog, and loves to wrestle to name only a few of his favorite games. At times, I feel like I don't even need to go to the gym, because I just lifted Nathan in the air for the umpteenth time to make him fly, which he also loves, and I can no longer lift my arms.
Con #2 Curiosity. Sensing a pattern? It's on purpose. More on that later. Curiosity, while able to make your heart melt into a puddle of mush on the ground, also has the profound ability to become very, very upsetting, very quickly. For example, when my son thinks to himself, "I wonder what would happen if I throw my shoe at the baby..." Or one my personal favorites, "does this crayon color on the walls too?!" Needless to say, curiosity can be a double edged sword.
Con #3 Momma's little helper. Nathan loves to bring me things. Lots of things. Like everything within his sight line that belongs to him. Or to me. Or to the baby. Or to my husband. It's cute the first three times, but after that I start to feel like a human pack mule. Picture me, buried under a mountain of toys, clothes, and assorted baby items. Keep laughing folks. This happens on a daily basis. It's not just that he hands me things either. It's the playing around in the garbage can after he has thrown something away, splashing in the puddle he just made from spilling his water, and bringing me ALL of the baby diapers, instead of just the one that I need. There should be a warning label with toddlers. Caution: encourage your toddler to help you at your own risk. The simple task you anticipate will most likely not go according to plan. You've been warned.
Con #4 Talking. Yup. You guessed it. Along with talking, comes the ability to talk back or yell at momma. Nate is very good at this. You see, when I try to give him something that he doesn't want, like a banana for example instead of cheese, he will say very loudly, "No! I don't want a banana!!!"Heaven forbid I should give him the wrong thing. Clearly I should be able to read his mind by now. Nathan also tries to tell the cat no, and the baby no when she's upset. He may even just yell no, and dissolve into tears and screaming when I tell him no, ask him the wrong question, or look at him funny for that matter.
Disclaimer: this is by no means a complete list of pros and cons, and every age has its ups and downs. The point I am trying to make here is that, having a toddler is the best thing in the world sometimes and other times is downright terrifying. So why do we do it? What's the point of putting up with all of this? Most people who have an annoying, or unpredictable job quit for something more stable and enjoyable. The reason is this: no matter what we always love them. Whether we are pro-toddler today, or anti-toddler today, those sweet kisses, hugs, and deep piercing eyes that look straight into our souls, reel us back in every time. So, we deal with the double-edged sword that is parenting a toddler, for they are all so fiercely loved.
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