Back in the day when nighttime cuddles with my 3-year-old were all the rage, my son mumbled the strangest thing before falling asleep.
“You need to open your head, Mom.”
I wasn’t sure that’s what he said, because some nights he also shouted, “Kanga, watch out for Roo!” But then the next night he said the exact same thing again. Translating his toddler-wisdom, I took it to mean, “Mom, you need to be more open minded,” and he’s right. My kid has been my greatest teacher, and continues to be. So, here’s a list of the greatest things my son taught me when he was a toddler.
1. How to Be Silly
“Mom, dance with me!” a tiny voice asked while waiting in line to order our lunch. There was no way I was going to avoid looking like an uncoordinated weirdo in front of all these strangers, but not one to miss an opportunity to connect with my kid, I smiled and said, “Sure!” As a true introvert, being a goof-ball doesn’t come easy—I usually leave that to my husband. But my little one has unleashed the silly in me like I never would have predicted.
2. How to Catch Vomit
While my friend and I were out eating lunch my toddler decided to indulge in too many bites of grilled cheese, thus making him vomit. I amazed her with my dexterity and quickly caught all the vomit in my bare hands. And I’m not even what one might call coordinated–the only thing I’ve ever been good at catching is a cold. But saving my child (and our carpet) from being covered in throw up became as automatic to me as tripping up the stairs.
3. How to Embrace Change
When my son was a newborn, every day something different happened—each day, a new development. Where one day he couldn’t hold his head up, the next day it was suddenly bobbing above my shoulder. I wanted time to stop for at least a minute (or a year) just so I could catch up. I liked things predictable and consistent, but life with a child simply wasn’t going to support that. I realized I needed to embrace the changing and move on to the next moment just as effortlessly as my son was doing.
4. How to Sleep Anywhere
The sound of my husband and son laughing woke me up—from my nap on the park bench. I dozed off sitting up. I’ve always been a fan of sleeping but never so much as when I’m not getting any. Once my newborn was home and the 4 AM feedings kicked-in, I found that I could sleep anywhere. It was a New-Mom super power that I’m glad my son taught me. Without it I’d have turned into a Mom-Zombie long ago. (In fact, I’m totally asleep while writing this.)
5. How to Be Assertive
Assertive has never been my bag. Now, however, the Mama Bear has awakened in me big time, and I’m finding my growl to be loud. Not only will I order food at a restaurant for my son, I will also call the pediatrician in the middle of the night and stand up for my kid at the drop of a hat. Being a mother has definitely helped me find a louder voice, and I’m happy to use it for him.
