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When you think of raising a toddler, the first words that come to mind might be ‘joy’ and ‘innocence.’ But for anyone knee-deep in toddlerhood, a more accurate description might be ‘haos,’ ‘laughter through tears,’ or ‘the ultimate endurance test.’ Welcome to the toddler years, where everyday is a wild roller coaster ride and where you often find yourself asking, ‘How did we get here?’
She was only a few weeks into the toddler stage when reality hit like a tonne of bricks. It’s not that she didn’t expect challenges—every mum does. But nothing quite prepares you for the tiny whirlwind of emotions, energy, and mischief that is a toddler. One moment, her little one is cuddling her sweetly, and the next, she’s being attacked by a child with two tiny teeth who has declared war.
‘Say no to her, and she will cry like the world is ending,’ she shares in a now-viral TikTok video. ‘Tell her it’s time to come inside, and you’ll witness a meltdown so intense you’d think you just cancelled Christmas.’ For her, this meant standing outside, staring at the door, as her toddler refused to budge. Tasks piled up in her mind, yet she stood frozen in toddler tyranny.
‘What have I gotten myself into?’ she asks. ‘Is there an opt-out button? Because I’m done.’ The video is raw, relatable, and a perfect snapshot of what millions of parents endure every day.
@katlego_pooe 😭😭😭when does it end!? #toddlersoftiktok #toddlermom ♬ original sound - Katlego Pooe •Perfume Supplier
One mum, Faith, commented, ‘My daughter is 2 years and 10 months. In January, I bought her an umbrella. When we got home, she said she wanted rain. I had to make it rain on a sunny day.’ These anecdotes capture the absurdity and humour of raising toddlers. They demand the impossible, often leaving you with no choice but to comply—whether it’s summoning rain or pretending the floor is lava.
Another parent, Thompson, chimed in, ‘Terrible 3’s is showing me flames.’ For many, the ‘terrible twos’ are just the beginning. The third year can bring even more surprises—some delightful, others testing every ounce of patience you have.
Toddlers don’t just live in their world; they own it, and you’re merely a visitor. ‘She owns you now,’ Seape commented, adding a string of laughing emojis. Toddlers wake up, choose chaos, and somehow manage to make you love them even more by the end of the day.
The endless energy is another hallmark of toddlerhood. ‘Having a toddler also means you can’t sit down in peace,’ Phumla observed. ‘You’re constantly standing and running to the little human, or they will hurt or kill themselves.’ It’s a life of vigilance, where your ‘me time’ becomes ‘please-don’t-climb-the-table time.’
Picture this: you’re up at dawn, not because you want to be, but because a tiny human insists that the sun is late. Breakfast is chaos, with cereal ending up everywhere but the bowl. Getting dressed? A battle. Leaving the house? A feat of negotiation that could rival international diplomacy. And all of this, before 9 AM.
Every task becomes an adventure—or a struggle. Going to the shops? Prepare for a debate about why sweets aren’t a breakfast option. Playtime? It’s all fun and games until someone climbs something they shouldn’t. Bedtime? A marathon disguised as a routine.
Have you ever noticed how toddlers have an unspoken rulebook?
Rule #1: You can never have too many tantrums in a day.
Rule #2: Mum must always guess what’s wrong because explaining is too mainstream.
Rule #3: The answer is always ‘no,’ except when it’s ‘yes’ and you’re already doing something else.
These rules change by the minute, keeping you perpetually on your toes. One day, they love carrots; the next, carrots are the enemy. And heaven forbid you choose the wrong colour cup—that’s grounds for a full-blown meltdown.
Despite the challenges, toddlers teach us some of life’s most profound lessons. Patience, for one, becomes a survival skill. Flexibility, too, as you learn to adapt to ever-changing moods and needs. And perhaps most importantly, they remind us of the beauty of simple joys—like jumping in puddles or marvelling at a butterfly.
As exhausting as it is, raising a toddler is also a privilege. You’re witnessing the world through fresh eyes, experiencing firsts alongside them, and building a foundation for the person they’ll become.
Parenting a toddler is not for the faint-hearted, but with a few strategies, you can navigate this phase with (some of) your sanity intact.
While the challenges of raising a toddler are monumental, there’s beauty in the chaos. Toddlers teach you to live in the moment, whether it’s revelling in their giggles or wiping their tears. They’re little bundles of contradictions: fiercely independent yet entirely dependent on you.
Some days will test you. You’ll feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and desperate for a break. Other days, you’ll find yourself marvelling at their curiosity and creativity. It’s these moments—the tiny hands reaching for yours, the belly laughs, the whispered ‘I love you’—that make it all worthwhile.
When the days feel endless, remember to celebrate the small victories. Managed to get them to eat something green? That’s a win. Survived a tantrum in the supermarket without crying yourself? Another win. Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.
Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s okay to stumble, to have moments of doubt, and to wish for a pause button. But it’s also okay to laugh, to cherish the chaos, and to remind yourself that you’re doing your best and that’s more than enough.
If there’s one thing the toddler years teach you, it’s the power of community. Talking to other parents, sharing stories, and swapping tips can be a lifesaver. It’s comforting to know you’re not alone, that others are navigating the same unpredictable waters.
As Faith shared in her comment, ‘You just have to laugh sometimes. Otherwise, you’ll cry or do both.’ That duality, laughter through tears, sums up the toddler years perfectly.
© Mindsmaking 2024
