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Toddlers are adorable. They are loving and funny and cute as kittens in a basket full of teddy bears. So why does everyone brand them terrible when they reach the tender age of two. The complete overuse of the cliché, terrible twos, would imply that as soon as the candles on the second birthday cake are extinguished, the screaming will start and continue unabated till the third birthday.
Sure, we have all seen a tiny person having a large meltdown in the supermarket, church or street. Attila the Kid. Screaming the walls down because there is no pink cornflakes, because they cannot have a wine spritzer or some other random inexplicable reason. Knowing glances and smiles from other parents can help with the embarrassment of the outburst, but it won’t be too long before someone in the viewing public will condescendingly utter those over-used words: ‘The terrible two’s’.
Two is not terrible folks. Two is wonderful. (Most of the time!). Put yourself in the little persons place and think about how they feel. Life is very complicated and this little dude/dudette must negotiate social situations, strange new experiences, food likes and dislikes, body changes and a whole plethora of new scenarios daily that would turn an adults head. In fairness to the little ones, they meet most of these challenges with good humour, aided by cuddles, the odd nap and a healthy snack. Who can blame them for feeling overwhelmed sometimes and when those feelings of frustration bubble to the top… well, you just have to let it go!
Toddle temper tantrums can be epic! Frankly, a lot of adults would love to let rip without inhibition or consequence. Rolling around the floor bemoaning the fact that the cinema does not have hot nachos and it’s the last straw in a yucky day! Fortunately (or unfortunately) we have learned to control our feelings of dissatisfaction and annoyance. Social mores dictates that we smile tightly and supress the screams. We cannot expect the same behaviour of the new people in the world. Afterall we would all love to react like this if we were going to Disneyland…
Let’s stop labelling toddlers, wobblers and smallies. It’s a big world for small people. We must forgive the odd outburst and not focus on the negative. Two is no more terrible then the Onerous Ones, the Horrid Threes and the Ferocious Fours! It’s all about attitude and your frame of mind. Children are a joy. Enjoy the world with them and through their eyes and if it all becomes too much… well… you know what to do…let it rip… after all, those terrible thirties can be tough.