6 Lessons I Learned From My Toddler

My sweet daughter Rosie is turning two tomorrow. I’ve got a whole slew of emotions as I think about this: I’m utterly heartbroken at how fast time is flying. I’m so proud of how much she has grown. I’m also excited to see who she will become. These short two years have been rich and full.  I am the parent but most times, it feels like I’m doing the learning. This little girl has taught me so much. Here are 6 lessons I learned from my toddler.

The second year is a thrilling year. The little one’s personality really emerges as she transitions from baby to toddler. Everything changes fast. Vocabulary increases. Emotions are raging and extreme. Boundaries are tested. I find myself using my brain a lot more this second year as parenting becomes more challenging. Just yesterday, I realized that Rosie understands what it means to purchase something. She was holding a store stuffie the whole time we were at Party City. When we were checking out, she tried to sneak the stuffie on to the counter to check out. When we asked her to say bye-bye to the stuffie, she adamantly tried to shove it into the plastic bag with the rest of our purchases. And when that failed, she wailed her heart out and threw a tantrum as we walked out.

Toddlerhood is intense. It’s hard and exhausting. She keeps me on my toes and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

The smiles, giggles and squeals. The sticky hugs and kisses. The bright-eyed excitement of new experiences. These are just a few things that have my heart bursting with joy and praising God for the miracle of life. On top of that, this little one teaches me a thing or two at living my best life. Take a look at 6 lessons I learned from my toddler.

Live In The Present Moment

A toddler doesn’t bother to dwell on the past or worry about the future. My toddler lives moment by moment. When it’s time to play, she is entirely focused on playing. When it’s time to get dressed, she is engrossed with figuring out how to put her hands through the sleeves. When it’s time to go out, she ecstatically searches for the right pair of shoes to wear.

Rosie is frightened of a few things. She hates going to the doctor. She’s had one too many shots for her liking. She is also scared of sitting on a big person toilet. Even then, she doesn’t cry until the doctor takes out the needle or mommy plops her on the toilet. She doesn’t waste every minute of the day worrying about her fear.

As we get older, we become too preoccupied with what’s happened or what will come. We don’t realize that we are living NOW. My toddler teaches me to take each experience as it comes and live in the present moment. 

Excel At What You Do

Most of the time it seems like toddlers learn with little effort. They pick up on everything so quickly (even when you hope they wouldn’t). BUT that doesn’t mean they don’t work hard. I see my toddler meticulously stringing beads until she can constantly get the string through the hole. My toddler will practice daredevil moves until she can confidently and safely climb into the rocking bassinet (that belongs to her sister). I’ll hear my toddler practicing her alphabet loud and clear when she’s supposed to be going to sleep. My toddler puts in the effort. She works hard to gain new skills.

In a day and age where we tend to haphazardly go about our day, my toddler reminds me to strive for excellence.

Forgive And Forget 

My toddler has had her feelings hurt more than a few times. When she is disciplined for purposely dropping food on the floor. When another kid steals her toy at the playgroup. When mommy can’t sing and dance her goodnight because she has to tend to baby Annie. My toddler is well aware of when she has been “wronged”. She is the tattle-tale queen. BUT give it a few moments and everything becomes okay. There is no such thing as holding a grudge for a toddler. That’s the beauty of toddlerhood. They’re mischievous and rambunctious but there’s a real innocence about them.

It is difficult to forgive and forget when we are wronged. As we get older, relationships become more complicated. In a way, we also become more entitled and stubborn. My toddler shows me off when she forgives and forgets with ease. 

Be An Authentic You

My toddler doesn’t hide her emotions. They are raw and exposed. What you see is what you get. Rosie doesn’t hide the tears when she can’t bring home the stuffie from the toy store. She can’t contain her joy when she’s splashing in the streams of water at the splash pad. She will immediately hide behind mommy’s legs when she’s feeling shy. She is very good at asserting herself at playtime. She’ll let you know exactly how her toy animals should be set up.

I could learn a thing or two. In our society, we naturally put on a charade. Conversations are superficial and polite. We hide who we are and how we feel. Sometimes life is better without wearing a mask. Learn from my toddler.

Celebrate The Beauty In Your World

One of my most favourite things in the whole world is seeing the sparkle in my toddler’s eyes when she experiences something new. My toddler is always on the move. She is busy but not because she has an unending list of to-dos. No, my toddler is busy because she is always exploring and discovering her world. Rosie loves to look at the ants marching on the sidewalk. She will stop to watch the ambulance wee-oo past us. She could splash in puddles forever if we let her. The other day, we let her run outside in the yard when it was pouring rain. The joy and amazement at the fact that water was falling from the sky was all too real.

As we grow up, life becomes more of a fast-paced routine. Slow down from your daily grind and be a different type of busy. Look for the beauty around you. There is much to discover.

Make An Effort To Communicate

It must be so exciting for a toddler to realize they could be heard. At first, they’re not so good at communicating their point but that doesn’t stop them from trying. My toddler is still speaking a whole slew of gibberish. More times than not, I don’t understand what she is saying. However, more and more she is learning how empowering it is to be able to communicate. She is persistent and repeats herself over and over again. She develops gestures. She tries hard to enunciate. She pulls us toward what she wants. She is determined to be understood.

As we grow up, we lose that drive in our own relationships. Whether it’s laziness or awkwardness, we don’t bother getting our message across clearly to one another. Tension builds. Someone gets hurt. Relationships are damaged. A toddler still has a lot to learn but one thing we can learn from them is their effort to get their point across. 

I wanted to highlight these lessons I learned from my toddler in honour of her second birthday. She has been such a blessing in our lives and we are thankful to be her parents. Also, here is our letter to her on her first birthday.

Cheers, Rosie! Mommy and Daddy love you!