New view of the terrible twos (x-posted)

This comes from a mom's club mother in New Orleans. Her name is
Kelly. I don't know if it is original or passed on, but I like it.

Despite having what I consider expertise in the area (and being
prepared for the worst), I still marvel at the way toddlers are
equipped, at such a young age, to develop a mind completely of their
own. So I do the only thing I can do: Try to maintain my sense of
humor -- and my sanity -- by seeing her behavior in a new light.

For instance:

* When she takes a running leap and lands on top of me, she is
questioning whether she will always be able to lean on me. And because
I always want her to know the answer is yes, I tolerate it.

* When she yells "No!" and points her finger, returning the glare she
undoubtedly learned from me, she is asserting herself. I couldn't be
more relieved. I hope she will maintain that perseverance right into
her teen years, when she can use it on any boy who dares to try to get
fresh with her. And into her adult years, when her stubbornness will
be called "determination. "

* When she attempts to stick a bobby pin she's found into the light
socket, she is exploring her world and trying to discover how things
work. Perhaps she'll be an engineer one day.

* When she draws on the walls with a purple crayon, she is expressing
her creativity. I try to think of her as an artist in training. And
even more important, she is learning the value of leaving her mark on
the world.

* When she breaks my favorite lamp and flashes her award-winning smile
just as I am coming toward her, she is practicing her people skills.
Perhaps she'll be a great politician (though I hope she'd be the rare
kind who maintains integrity).

* When she tries to stuff the kitten into her brother's lunchbox, she
is experimenting with spatial concepts.

* When she wrestles with her brother over a toy, calling "Mine!" loud
enough to be heard down the street, she is being bold and going for
what she wants. I just hope that in the future, if she doesn't get her
way, her solution won't be to bite in retaliation.

* When she climbs our chain-link fence with bare feet, she is proving
that no challenge is too difficult for her to meet. And when I
discover her playing in the yard of the neighbors who live behind us,
she is reaching beyond her own little world, refusing to be
provincial.

* When she lies on top of her 7-month-old sister, crushing the baby
with enthusiastic hugs and kisses, she is unabashedly wearing her
heart on her sleeve.

* When she insists I read The Little Engine That Could to her again,
for the seventh time in a row, she is teaching me patience.

* When she dumps macaroni all over the kitchen floor, stops to
acknowledge my "No!" by turning briefly to look at me, and then goes
right back to what she was doing, she is showing her ability to follow
through with a task.

* When she gets tickled over something I take for granted -- the toast
popping up from the toaster when it's browned, for instance -- she is
blessing me unaware. How many times have I longed to see the world
through the eyes of a child once again? Thanks to her, I can.

* When I catch her trying to eat the cat's food, she is proving that
she will not be a picky eater -- and that she has survival skills,
which may come in handy later in life (especially if she ends up on
some reality TV show).

* When she gleefully rips off her dry diaper, throws it in the sink,
and races for the toilet, then refuses to sit on it, she is exercising
her prerogative to change her mind.

* When I call her name and she immediately breaks into a sprint in the
other direction, she is listening to her own inner voice and refusing
to be a conformist.

* When she suddenly decides to throw a tantrum in the middle of a
restaurant, she is teaching me humility. And that leftovers reheated
later at home usually taste just as good as food served fresh.

* When she steps into my enormous shoes, which swallow her tiny feet,
and clumsily tries to walk in them, she makes me reflect upon my great
responsibility to provide a good role model for her to follow.

* And when she stands on the kitchen table with no pants on, refusing
to even put on a diaper, and dances... well, I can only think the
worst about that. So I try not to read too much into it, because I am
choosing to remain positive.

Kelly
--
Dorothy

There is no sound, no cry in all the world
that can be heard unless someone listens ..

The Outer Limits