10 Weird Things About Toddlers That Don't Make Any Sense

We are officially out of the baby stage and into full blown toddler life. You guys, toddlers... they are the most confusingly adorable tiny humans. I felt like I had the baby phase on lockdown. I knew just what my kid needed, I could stop his crying almost instantly, and he was just happy to be in my presence. I unknowingly traded that for the world's cutest, most opinionated dictator. I do love this phase too, but man if it doesn't keep me on my toes!

Here are 10 weird things about toddlers that don't make any sense...

1. If they fall asleep in the car for even 2 minutes before their nap, they will only take a 45 minute nap. It could have been from 9:00-9:02 AM, and even though nap time isn't until 12 PM, the kid now seemingly only needs 45 minutes (plus the 2 they got in the car) of sleep vice the normal 2.5 hours they usually get. Riddle. me. that.

2. They have the ability to push every button you have, yet 10 minutes after you put them to bed, you miss them like crazy. 

3. They look at you like you are the worst thing to ever happen to them when they don't get what they want, but don't you dare think about leaving the room while they're upset. They'll just get even madder because how could you abandon your best friend like that?!

4. They have the world's most bipolar appetites. Yesterday, they liked apples. Today, they hate apples. Tomorrow, they will look at you like they have never heard of apples. 

5. Fisher-Price may have spent decades creating the most colorful, stimulating toys for your child, but your kid would much rather play with the empty toilet paper roll. Leave a little toilet paper on said roll, and it's Christmas freaking morning.

6. You know, if I had peed myself and was incapable of changing, I would be grateful if someone cleaned me up and got me into fresh britches. Toddlers, however, will flail and scream every second on the changing table while you're performing this selfless and necessary service. Sitting in poop > clean underpants.

7. They may have their own super cool $10 toddler cup with a weighted straw and fun colors to drink out of, but pass your Yeti, because they'll have what you're having, please. 

8. Do you know how wonderful it sounds to be pushed in a comfortable stroller through the aisles of Target and admire the world around you? Well if you ask a toddler, the answer is "absolutely terrible". Why would they want to sit comfortably with snacks when they could run amuck through the aisles and touch everything?!

9. Right before it's bedtime, they get a super burst of energy that renders them the thirstiest, hungriest, most literate tiny humans on the planet. Aka, they need a drink of water and to read 10 books, please. 

10. They're hungry ALL. THE. TIME. Like where do they put it all???

Don't Undersell Yourself

One of my favorite qualities of my husband is his humility. The guy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M University, is good at pretty much anything he tries, and is a Naval Aviator for a living. Yet, when he is having a conversation with someone, if he is not an expert, he will lead with "I don't know anything on this, but...". 

I feel like I have had a habit in the past of speaking for 10 minutes straight on a subject I know almost nothing about. I'm quick to talk and slower to listen, and I don't like that quality. I started trying to take a page out of my husband's book and lead with "I'm no expert..." or something like that, but I realized recently I took it to another level. 

Instead of humbly talking about accomplishments or things I knew, I shortchanged myself. The other day, I made a joke about never opening up a book to study in high school and not trying. I thought about that conversation later, and it ate at me. In reality, I did try in high school. I tried a lot. I took almost all AP classes and graduated in the top 7% of my class while playing tennis all four years. 

Here's another example: when people compliment Preston's behavior or accomplishments, my first response is "oh it's nothing I did". He is a sweet boy by nature, but his good behavior is most certainly due a lot in part to something I did. I am the one home with him all day, and as great of a dad as Parker is, he works long hours and isn't always around. Our son knows sign language, knows how to do a couple of chores, and is (normally) a very sweet and well behaved little boy, and I taught him a lot of that. 

I'm not saying the answer is to walk around broadcasting how awesome you are, but instead of me saying "oh it's nothing I did" when someone compliments Preston, I need to proudly say "thank you". Instead of saying I never opened a book in high school, I need to say "I studied and tried my best". 

It's a trivial concept, but I think a lot of people have a habit, like I do, of underselling themselves. Own your accomplishments. Be proud of your work. There is a happy medium between bragging and discrediting, and I am consciously trying to choose it.