Why I Love Toddlers

Poor toddlers.

They get such a bum rap.

There are dozens of books sold that claim to help you tame your toddler. Terrible twos. Etc.

I love toddlers. I had almost forgotten how much fun they are.

(Now the 36 – 42 month old is a different story. No longer is the baby a baby, s/he is heavy and sassy and opinionated and not nearly as cute and portable.)

But toddlers? So much fun.

1. Everything is new and fun and exciting and wondrousPot lids? Party time.
   Ball? Epic win!

   

2. Toddlers are not picky eaters.Dirt waffles are gooooooood.

   
   Dust bunnies? Asparagus? Last night’s pinto beans that weren’t swept up from under the table? All good.

3. Expressive.We should all be so open with our feelings. Our relationships would be a lot healthier if we would just bite someone in the kneecaps when they make us mad. Then forget itthe instant as they hand us a cookie.Am I right or am I right?
4. They walk like Yoda.Or E.T. Same difference. It’s doggone cute.
5. You can see the gears turning in their heads. 

   “Mama! Airplane!”Like Helen Keller’s “wa-wa”, there is something amazing about watching a toddler conceptualize new words.

6.  Toddlers love themselvesWhen a toddler does something cute, they applaud. How can you not love someone with such self confidence?

   
   “Talk to the foot”

    

7. Comfortable in their own skin

   Toddlers have no body image issues. Clothing? Optional.
   I offer:
   “I’m naked. And I’m outside. Best. Day. Ever.”
   
   

8. Toddlers are not afraid to ask for what they want.And they can be very persistent until they get the object of their desire. Ruby’s favorite food is banana, aka “baba”. When she sees one, she will repeat “baba. baba. baba. baba. baba.” until baba is served up. Here she is with a freshly paid for baba after the grocery line checkout.We should all be so persistent.
9. Breastfeeding a toddler is fun.With babies, breastfeeding is mostly a “give” thing.  With toddlers, it’s more of a relationship. At this age, Ruby has taken to pulling the neckline of my shirt waaay out, reaching a hand in there, grabbing one and saying “mama, mama, mama, mama”.

What do you love about toddlers?