I think the two year old, or rather the year itself, gets a bad rap.
I never really understood why people would call this age “terrible.” I’m sure there are enough moms out there that would like to slap my wrists and call me a newb. They hang their mama veteran status high and proud. “I’ve been through it all,” they say, “and those twos are terrible.”
To those veteran moms: I hear ya, loud and c l e a r. You paved the way and let us newbs know that the light shines at the end of that somewhat scary tunnel. I continue to look up to you, honor you, respect you. But I can’t agree with you…not on this.
Maybe it’s just the word terrible. Terrible. It just sounds…terrible. But through it all, was it really that terrible?
I’m opting for a search + replace of that word…
In September, we welcomed the tumultuous twos. A new stage in our Madeline’s life FOR SURE. This stage is a bit louder. IN YOUR FACE. It’s messy. Exaggerated. A roller-coaster. In short, it’s F U L L.
She runs around non-stop, sometimes shouting at the top of her lungs. A trip to the grocery story feels like a full-blown adventure. Skipping up and down aisles, asking “what is this?” to almost every single item on the shelf.
She’s also learning new ways to communicate, figuring out how to ask for things she needs and wants. At these moments, odds for a meltdown are at their greatest.
Life is still so new, so fresh. She’s still learning the ropes, but her eagerness to get moving, to “do it myself” as she says, gets in the way. Mama needs to remind her that some things require her to walk before she can run. Frustration and confusion start to overwhelm… and not just the little ones.
We are on this tumultuous ride with our babes. This is also our tumultuous twos. This is our time to figure out the wants, nurture the needs and foster the communication, for them and us.
Journeying through this stage in life creates opportunity to learn something new about our little ones every single day. This roller-coaster of emotions//actions will definitely take us for the ride of a lifetime. It will test our limits, challenge our sanity at times, force us to think outside the cardboard box that they have grown tire of and give us the ability to grow into kick-ass moms. We will forge ahead, kissing the bruises, sharing the laughter and giving all the cuddles while they shed a tear as they try to put their shoes on the wrong feet.
As I sit back and think about the upcoming year, I start to laugh a little. I know every day will not be easy. Every day will also not be terrible. It will just be. The continuation of our current chapter. A beautiful chapter. A journey into the tumultuous twos.
Sharing with Jessica.
amanda
October 1, 2014Two wasn’t so bad with Em.. 3 and 4 though. Ay yi yi.
annehnert
October 1, 2014Ha! She’s gotta keep everyone on their toes.
Definitely not saying it’s all rainbows and sunshine 100% of the time 🙂
Erlene
October 1, 2014You know, I never thought of the 2yr age mark as “terrible”…it’s the teen years that are rather trying because they seem to know everything and don’t want to listen to what you have to say 🙂
annehnert
October 1, 2014Feel you. Absolutely agree. I suppose it’s all about perspective and what we have gone through/what we are going through. With the “terrible twos”, it just seems so early to start being so pessimistic about the behavior, and it’s possible that I’m over-thinking it, but if we start out calling this stage the “terrible twos”, I feel like it sets us up for nothing but a long line of disappointment. Thanks for your comment! xo
Jessica
October 2, 2014I love love love your perspective. It’s definitely a time of growth for us parents as well! Very well said! And I really love the “terrible twos”, they might have a little more attitude but they’re hilarious and so, so sweet.
annehnert
October 3, 2014Thanks, Jessica 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! I absolutely agree with you. Little personalities sure start to shine!
mrsaok05
October 2, 2014I love tumultuous twos! Let’s start a revolution! I miss the twos, yes, perhaps, those were trying days, but they are SO sweet. The chubby handed hugs, and the curious little minds… :::sigh:::
I’d do tumultuous twos all over again with each one of my babies 🙂
XOXO
annehnert
October 2, 2014Oh, you’re giving me butterflies in my heart 🙂 Love the chubby handed hugs. Loving this comment. Thank you so much xo
kristyvmoreno
October 3, 2014I love this perspective! I feel as though at 19 months, we are already experiencing the “terrible twos.” But you are so right, I am going to be there anyway, loving my baby girl the best I know how. Love this!
annehnert
October 3, 2014So perfect 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your POV!! We gotta love those tantrums a little bit. It’s basic survival. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
whitneymaeve
October 7, 2014That’s awesome… tumultuous. What a great adjective. And you even keep the alliteration! 🙂 I love your optimistic perspective… even the vet moms should keep that a little longer than they sometimes do. Good for you!
Ann Ehnert
October 7, 2014Thanks, Whitney. I definitely do not want to discount the struggle, but I think it’s just one big, messy (and sometimes ugly) learning process for us all. When it’s nasty, it can be nasty, but when it’s good…oh man… 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it! xo
Day-Dates with My Favorite Two Year Old | eat.sleep.market.
April 28, 2015[…] I love this age. I love TWO. I love the running around in circles, picking flowers in the grass, finger paint on everything, mess in my backseat, screaming to scream and laughing to laugh. […]