Image credit: oliverstwistytales.com.au
The other day I was buying one of Smalls’s birthday presents, and I couldn’t resist getting myself a little something too. This These are the Golden Days print sums up pretty much exactly how I feel about parenting my two- and three-year-old right now.
They are hilarious. And totally adorable. One serious, verbose, sensitive, kind, and completely incapable of having the wool pulled over her eyes. She is sharp as a tack, that one. Doesn’t miss a thing. Is an interesting conversation partner, and has just started drawing circle people with sticks for arms and legs.
The other is a big-toothed grinning menace, who never says the first half of her words, who sits on the toilet fully clothed but makes the “pssh” noise like she’s actually doing something, mangles “sandwich” like you wouldn’t believe, and randomly hugs me and strokes my hair. She puts her hand under my chin and says “orright?” and then toddles off on her tiny legs.
Neither of them can pour their own cereal or make their own sandwiches, so we’re nowhere near out of the Intensive Parenting Woods (I hear that’s where the Big Bad Wolf lives), but it’s also not the 24-hour-a-day onslaught that is a newborn (or toddler and a newborn, heaven help me).
Next year is Kinder, and the year after that is SCHOOL OH MY GOD MAKE IT STOP and I’m right in that spot where I could freeze time and hang out here forever, making playdough and baking cakes and buying tiny shorts. These guys are fun and interesting, and while still totally toddler-irrational from time to time (not to mention the picky food issues), they are a joy to parent.
Remind me of this when someone’s stolen the other one’s eyeliner and someone is out past curfew with their phone turned off.
Aww this is so lovely! You’re such a whole-hearted Mama
DON’T TELL ANYONE.
They really are the golden days Stacey. I mourn my golden days every so often.
Is it because they’ve started stealing eyeliner now?
My daughter nicks my conditioner but not makeup or clothes. My four boys don’t seem interested in the eyeliner either 🙂
I’m really disappointed. I imagined you raising several Marilyn Manson wannabes.
Beautiful – people keep telling me how crazy it is to have two under two, but your post gives me hope and makes me smile. I’m loving my two babies right now – I might have two under two but they are a joy at this present moment 🙂
Ha I was thinking about you last night! How goes it?
Love this post because I’m right where you are now except I have a baby too. I love their little personalities and the way they think. Phoebe is nearly grown enough to be out of her bassinet and I’m a bit emotional about it because it will the last time I use it but there are more golden moments that await.
I agree…while some moments are of course challenging, overall I would totally stop at age three. He is hilarious and completely his own person. My favourite is how he knows when he has done something “naughty” and tries to charm his way out of it…and is usually successful.
I have an 2 year old and a 4 year old and am desperate to escape the golden years but I know I’ll look back and realise how magical it was, in the way that hindsight has of kicking your ass. I’m just too tired to appreciate it. Fights over eyeliner sound heavenly. Here, take a couple of pool noodles and sort yourselves out. I’m having a gin and tonic.
It’s nice to hear you’re enjoying this stage. It’s true, my 4 year old is adorable flashing his personality about. He is becoming very independent but still needs me just enough.
I experienced my 1st cup of tea with my 3yo today. We were playing talking on the telephone. (my telephone was a pink balloon). I then asked him if he would like to talk with me face to face and he said yes and asked for tea, just like dad. We talked about dinosaurs. Golden years alright!
You’re a rad mum, Stacey. Your kiddos are very lucky. x
First time round while enjoyed the baby/toddler stage I thought the golden years were yet to come. Second time round I’m older & wiser. While these sleep deprived days are hard I know for sure they really are the golden days because teenagers suck arse!!!