I used to wonder why my friends with small children suddenly turned into hermits. It was like as soon as their child became a toddler they entered the world of social leprosy and fell down a little black hole. I thought to myself, really how bad could it be, and why couldn't’t you just teach your children to behave?
After having a toddler of my own I realized quickly why people with two year olds, took a “time out,” from the social scene they used to frequent. Taking a teething, nap deprived, off schedule, hungry toddler any where is enough cause even the most patient parents to immerse themselves into hiding watching DVR repeats of Sesame Street. Now I’m not talking about the grocery store, my child can usually stand a trip there, with the help of a small bribe in the form of animal crackers. I am talking about social events, dinners, public functions.
I remember when my son was an infant I would take him to public functions, parade him around and everyone would stop and coo over him, and I would smile back at them as the proud new mama. There is something unappealing about stopping to coo over a toddler, covered in dirt, shirt stained, holding a germ infested coke can he found on the ground, licked and is now trying to hand you, and is squirming to be free of his mother as swiftly as possible. Toddlers are no longer babies, but they aren’t children. They are little people with big ideas swirling around in their head, released only in the form of a temper tantrum.
After taking my toddler on a trip anywhere, especially after he has been in a car seat for a long time (which I firmly believe he thinks is a straight jacket,) he is ready to run. In fact he often runs to the first sign of danger, moving objects, or anything that could potentially take him out. My son often reminds me of that dog you see on the side of the road, trying to cross the road with no concept of the fact there is a vehicle moving toward them at 70 mph. A toddler is much the same, a mobile menace, running toward danger at steadfast pace ignoring you and your; don’t, come back, be careful, slow down, stay here, you can’t, MOMMY SAID NO!
When I come home from a trip I am spent! Not only from packing and unpacking a loot of what looks like a car full of things for 20 children, but from trying to keep up with my toddler. We pull into our driveway and he squeals with excitement, as if devil child has freed the fun loving happy toddler who is the child I have come to know. I grab him and take him into our child proof home and I sigh in relief, letting him run free, where I know there is no danger. We curl up, watch a DVR episode of Sesame Street and I realize we are comfortable, familiar and happy in that little black hole we call home.
