Perhaps your two-year-old is a perfect angel all the time. Perhaps they would never, ever, in a million years think of crawling under the table at a restaurant. Perhaps you’ve got the whole discipline thing down pat. If so, I give you credit, because life in my household just got crazy.
My daughter will be three at the end of January. She’s bright, beautiful, and charming. She’s also a monster.
Up until a few months ago, I could take her anywhere. She’d fuss every now and then, but that’s to be expected. Then, as if someone flicked a light switch, everything changed. Suddenly, she started standing up on the booth at restaurants, dropping her crayons on purpose and then quickly flying under the table to “get them” (aka: play peek-a-boo with people’s feet), and yes, throwing temper tantrums (small ones, but still…). I know what you’re wondering. You’re wondering what I did about it, why I didn’t nip it in the bud, why I’d ever allow my child to get away with these things. The answer? I wouldn’t.
But let me tell you something about 2 ½ year olds. They can misbehave quicker than you can stop them. They can let out a yelp before you can tell them to “shush.” They can slide under the table like a slippery snake before you have the chance to put your fork down.
My point is this—I don’t know everything. Parents who think they know everything usually don’t. I try to be consistent. I am firm with my daughter. I tell her what is acceptable and what is not. I am not one of “those” parents, who lets her child misbehave in a store or restaurant without doing anything about it. But sometimes, I just don’t have all the answers. Sometimes, I want to crawl under the table myself—and hide. But I don’t. I do the best I can and I hope for better the next time.
There’s a reason they call ‘em the “terrible two’s.” For some, it doesn’t start until the child is three or four, but in my case, I guess I just got “lucky.”
If you’re feeling like me, know two things. One, you’re not a bad parent. And two, you’re not alone. This stage, with continued consistency and firmness of boundaries from you, will pass and will soon be replaced by a new phase, equally as “fun.” Happy parenting!