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Surviving the Toddler Years

by Haydee Russo

On the way to church one day Ella sang "Jesus Loves Me" in its entirety on her own.  It was so sweet, especially afterwards when she said, "What should I sing next Mama?" as if she was performing a concert just for me and her baby sister, Ava.

It's days like this that I need to remember to cherish because there are definitely other days when I want to pull my hair out because Ella is an action-oriented, non-stop talker, who can't sit still for more than 2 minutes (unless she's eating ice cream which is a reward she gets for using the potty, which lately has been about once a week).

I don't' know about you but I need some peace and quiet throughout the day while I'm meeting the demands of being a wife and mother, otherwise how am I supposed to get anything done!

Of course, there's Nap Time, my favorite time of the day; that is when I can get both of my girls to take a nap at the same time.  Even if Ella doesn't sleep, she still has to spend some quiet time in her room, which has been one of the best things I've incorporated into our daily routine, with the exception of one particular time. 

That time was when she used her "quiet time" to get into a brand new jar of Vaseline and spread it all over her head, body, and changing table.  Boy was that fun washing her hair a literal 10 times with cornstarch and dishwashing liquid to get the petroleum jelly out!

This afternoon while trying to endure the 94 degree heat, Ella was counting her plastic French fries. "…eleven, twelve." Then she counted them again, "Uno, dos, tres, cinco, seis."  So, she missed a number, but I didn't even know she could count in Spanish!  Yes, I admit I let her watch "Dora the Explorer" so I can get the laundry folded.   Little did I know she would pick up another language so quickly.

I also let her eat Cup O'Noodles on days when I can't handle another "No, I don't want to eat green beans!"  What will come from that?  Immunity to the effects of sodium?  Ha!  Who am I kidding?  Don't get me wrong.  I really am trying to make sure my growing 2 ½ year old eats well-balanced meals, but sometimes I can't help but give in, just to have some time to think without a demanding toddler on my heels.   She still says grace beforehand, on her own initiative—maybe God will hear her sweet prayer and put nutrients in her cup!

So, all you moms out there who have toddlers or are about to have toddlers, hang in there!  I know I'm not a perfect mom, but my daughter is a growing, thriving child and she knows that Jesus loves her.  That's how I know the Lord will enable me to survive the toddler years.

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  Proverbs 22:6