For some time now, I have felt compelled to share my thoughts on a popular belief regarding third children. However, the window of opportunity to write is limited, as my 19-month-old is always on the verge of mischief. At any moment, he could:
- Dig through the trash for snacks.
- Try to dismantle the electrical outlet covers.
- Open the oven or play with the stove.
- Search for a steak knife in the bottom of the dishwasher, potentially leading to chaos.
- Resist sleep with remarkable determination.
- Break childproof locks on cabinets through sheer willpower.
- Relocate my car keys to some undisclosed location.
Perhaps my memory has faded over the past year and a half, but I distinctly recall hearing various generalizations about third children during my pregnancy, such as: “They’re laid-back. They have to be.” or “Oh, they’re so mellow!”
Interesting perspective, I suppose. However, I find myself questioning the validity of these claims. These are likely the same individuals who assured me that I’d eventually forget the pain of childbirth or that a single piece of chocolate could satisfy a sweet craving.
In reality, my cabinets are now securely locked, outlets are covered, and doors are closed when rooms are unoccupied—all practices I did not implement with my first two children. In fact, I may have even scoffed at those who did. (Guilty as charged.)
I admire my youngest son’s unique approach to life and his strong desire to make his presence known in our family. His strategy appears to revolve around four key principles:
- Stay awake at all costs.
- Create a path of destruction.
- Relocate important items to top-secret toddler locations.
- Maintain an unyielding attachment to a colander.
Yes, a colander. Forget the traditional toys; my son finds joy in kitchenware. While I attempted to provide him with kid-sized pots and pans, he has firmly chosen the Tupperware and serving utensils as his playthings. Be prepared for a robust 31-pound toddler to express his displeasure if you attempt to take that colander away.
Some children find comfort in security blankets; mine treasures a pasta strainer. It’s no surprise, considering our family’s fondness for carbohydrates.
When not brandishing cookware like a warrior, he can often be spotted hoarding and nesting various objects—DVDs, princess accessories, and even random spices. These items often go missing for days or weeks, only to be found in the most unexpected places. Just the other day, as I was about to discard an old Christmas gift box, I discovered my paprika, a pair of sunglasses, and an overdue library book belonging to my older son, along with some half-eaten crackers.
And yes, I spend countless minutes each day searching for the remote control. We should all thank him for helping us cut down on screen time.
So, the notion of the mellow third child? Not applicable here. He desperately wants to engage with his older siblings, to be part of their noise and chaos, to stay perpetually busy. He craves attention and connection, refusing to miss out on any moment.
Yet, on rare occasions, he does pause long enough for me to locate my keys and clean out the colander.
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In summary, the common belief that third children are inherently mellow is a misconception. My experience with my youngest has shown me that they can be just as spirited and demanding as any other child, eager to be involved in every aspect of family life.
Keyphrase: Third children are not mellow
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