I’m a big fan of toddlers. In my opinion, babies are overrated. Toddlers are where it’s at. I’ve got two toddlers at home, the very same age, TWO AND A HALF. Chances are one or both of them is going to give us (or each other) grief about something at any given time. But it’s quick and painless and all part of this gig, so I try to just laugh about it. What else can we do? They come around with some gentle persuasion or many times on their own. Part of their being completely and totally awesome is their ability to declare, for the world to hear, what they want and do not want.
I give you, a day in the life of a toddler (or two):
Good morning Sunshines!
I DON’T WANT TO!
2 seconds later, GOOD MORNING MAMA.
Do you want to wear your choo choo shirt or your Batman shirt?
I DON’T WANT TO!
2 seconds later, BATMAN.
We are going to watch Daniel Tiger while mommy gets dressed.
I DON’T WANT TO!
2 seconds later, HI DANIEL TIGER.
On days I go to work, Hey! Nikki is coming to see you today!
I DON’T WANT TO!
When Nikki arrives, HI DIDI! HI HI HI! BY MAMA DADA!
What do you want for breakfast?
EGGS.
Here are your eggs!
I DON’T WANT TO!
Maybe 2 hours later, DIS NICE EGGS MAMA.
It’s time to clean up. Clean up, pick up, put away, clean up – every day.
I DON’T WANT TO!
2 seconds later (most of the time) ME HELPING!
Let’s get ready to go outside. Let’s put on your shoes!
I DON’T WANT TO!
I thought you wanted to go outside.
DAH! OKAY MAMA.
Ready to put your shoes on?
I DON’T WANT TO!
2 seconds later, DESE MY NICE SHOES MAMA.
You want some crackers?
I DON’T WANT TO!
2 seconds later, ME CRACKERS TOO!
We need to change your diaper.
I DON’T WANT TO!
BEBE CHANGE DIAPER. NOT ME.
2 seconds later, ME GOT POOP, MAMA.
You want to sing a song?
I DON’T WANT TO!
2 seconds later, the alphabet song is being sung in a very high pitched sweet voice.
Let’s brush your hair.
I DON’T WANT TO.
2 seconds later, ME BRUSH HAIR ME SO CUTE.
We have to get in the car to go to the fancy park.
I DON’T WANT TO!
I thought you wanted to go to the fancy park.
DAH! OKAY MAMA.
Ready to get in the car?
I DON’T WANT TO!
2 seconds later, ME WANT TO GO PAK, MAMA!
Let’s take a nap.
I DON’T WANT TO.
2 seconds later, COME ON DIDA. ME GO NIGH NIGH.
I cannot really fault them on this one, but most days they still do pretty good with naps.
Do you want some sandwich?
I DON’T WANT TO.
2 seconds later, ME WANT SANDWICH MAMA.
We need to take a bath.
I DON’T WANT TO.
2 seconds later, I find a brother and sister soothing each other into taking a bath saying, IT’S OKAY. WANT TAKE A BATH? DAH!
We have to take turns. You get a turn and then your sister gets a turn.
I DON’T WANT TO.
2 seconds later, unprompted again, HERE GO BEBE. HERE GO.
Should we make popcorn and watch a movie?
I DON’T WANT TO.
2 seconds later, DETS WATCH BEEBOOPS MAMA!
I found this one to be especially true one rainy day last week. There’s not much that can’t be made right by stovetop popcorn and a quality Disney flick.
It’s bedtime. Night night. Sweet dreams. We love you.
I DON’T WANT TO.
2 seconds later as they see us scooting out of the room, WUV U MAMA.
That one right there. That’s the one.
It’s incredible to watch this independence develop and a lot of the time, I am quite proud of them for voicing their sometimes contrary opinion.Watching them go through the whole problem solving process, unprompted many times, is pretty fascinating to watch. They usually come around to the the best, kind decision. Usually. And that is quite encouraging and life affirming to witness.
As with all kids, for every negative thing they say or do, they do like, 10 things to make up for it with extreme levels of cuteness and kindness. Or else why the hell would we keep having them?
So yes, toddlers can be quite contrary, but frankly, I don’t mind it so much as they are just figuring all this shit out. They are just finding out what they like and don’t like and a gut reaction is not always the best reaction. Surely I can relate to that. Given a second thought they usually change their tune. As long as they aren’t being mean or hurting each other or anyone else, as long as they aren’t in any real danger and really listening to the important stuff, I don’t give a rip. It would make you crazy to take every I DON’T WANT TO to heart. Water off a duck’s back.
I just love me some surly toddlers. The sweet ones are pretty great too.
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