Strong-willed Toddlers: 4 Reasons Why They Actually Rock

1. You're constantly burning calories

"Where does she get all her energy?!" "I wish I could bottle HALF that energy up"

I feel like I can never catch up with Mira, and I am pretty sure that is the point. She is almost constantly trying to push her limits and get into something. This girl keeps me on my toes and while some (most) days I am exhausted, I still love it.

2. You know that they will make (mostly) the right decisions

Right now it's hard because all the decisions are mischievous ones. Down the road, though, there will be parties, alcohol, drugs. Mira is going to be the one that says "no!". She does not give into peer pressure. I've seen it. She gives other kids very firm "nos" to the point where we have to ask her to be more delicate about it. I'm just happy she has a strong, decisive mind.

3. They put your ego in check

You can't pretend to be the perfect mom. Trust me, I've been there done that during pregnancy when I truly thought I was going to have a bilingual child who only ate local, organic, made from scratch food. I now have a little person who could eat peanut butter sandwiches everyday and throws the rest of her food on the floor half the time. There are going to be a lot of power struggles between her and I and I'm learning how to respect her at the same time.

4. You don't have to worry. 

I don't have to think about her being unsafe or bullied. If a stranger goes up to talk to her, half the time she yells "NO!" before they can get close. She requires space and needs to feel comfortable, otherwise she will let you know. If a boy who's even a few years older than her tries to tell her what to do or take something away, she will put him in his place by scolding him. Sometimes I don't know whether to give her a pat on the back or tell her she needs to be nicer to boys? Nah, I think she's good ;)

4 comments LABELS: humor, Toddler