Oh, fellow parents, we’ve all seen the countless articles detailing the struggles of raising toddlers. And yes, they’re absolutely correct: having a toddler at home can feel like hosting a rowdy, clumsy party-goer who never leaves. Managing two, three, or four-year-olds can sometimes feel deserving of its own special circle in parenting purgatory.
But let me share a little secret with you: there will come a time when you look back on those toddler years with a sense of nostalgia, perhaps even longing. That sweet little bundle of chaos in the backseat will eventually become a teenager, and trust me, that’s when the real fun begins.
Now, I wouldn’t want to overlook the positives of raising teens. They’re truly fascinating creatures. Watching your own children navigate their tumultuous teenage years brings back a flood of memories from your own adolescence. You get to relive all the highs and lows, and every mischievous deed from your youth comes back to haunt you, giving you plenty of fuel for those heartfelt talks (or guilt trips).
The best part? You can actually converse with your teenagers, which can sometimes be enlightening. They can drive, cook, and generally take care of themselves without constant supervision—most of the time, anyway. Personal hygiene tends to be less of an issue, except for those moments when they call from the bathroom needing a towel.
I adore my teens, which is fortunate since I have four of them living under my roof! We share some memorable moments, engaging debates, and binge-watch shows like “The Walking Dead” together. But let me tell you, the past few weeks have been quite a challenge. I found myself driving around town one night, frantically searching for a restaurant where my 17-year-old daughter and her friends were waiting. When she called, exasperated, “Mom, we’ve been waiting forever!” I snapped back, “I CAN’T FIND THE RESTAURANT!” only to realize I was on speakerphone. Yep, that’s me—the mom who occasionally loses her cool.
Yet, every now and then, I find myself reminiscing about my kids as toddlers. I got a bit misty-eyed thinking about my daughter back then, sporting colorful headbands and mismatched outfits, always ready for an adventure with her trusty backpack. Of course, I also remember the tantrums, the potty training mishaps, and those endless bedtimes.
But! For a brief moment, I longed for the simplicity of toddlerhood. Here are five compelling reasons why toddlers are easier to manage than teens:
- SLEEPING: You may have heard of the book “Go the F*ck to Sleep.” Well, just wait until you see my upcoming title, “Get the F*ck Up, You’ll Miss the Bus.” Teenagers sleep like hibernating bears. While you no longer have to deal with wide-eyed toddlers creeping into your room at dawn, waking a teenager is like trying to rouse a sloth from its slumber. Good luck!
- MESSY USE OF TOILETRIES: Watching a toddler create a mess with your lipstick is endearing and often Instagram-worthy. But discovering your expensive lotion and a mountain of tissues under your teen’s bed? Not so much. Learn from my mistakes: stash the good stuff away!
- HOMEWORK: Toddlers have no homework—score! But teens? They come with a hefty load of assignments, and while you might not be asked for help, expect to hear all about their complaints. And don’t be surprised when they remember at the last moment that they have a massive project due. I once found myself in tears calling a friend for culinary help at 10 p.m. on a Sunday!
- ODOR: Think you’re tired of the scent of baby wipes and spilled milk? Just wait until you get a whiff of Axe body spray mixed with teenage sweat. It’s a whole new level of olfactory assault.
- SLEEPING (AGAIN): As a parent of toddlers, you crave sleep but can’t get any. As the parent of teens, you finally can, but then worry about where they are and who they’re with. Out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind; your imagination runs wild with all the scenarios that could go wrong.
You’ll never fully appreciate the power of a simple text until you get the reassuring message: “Hey Mom, we’re fine. On our way home.” Or the classic “U totes need 2 chill, Mom.”
These are just a few ways in which toddlers have it easier than teens. But we could easily flip the script and highlight how teens have their advantages too. After all, they can communicate, they’re not in need of diaper changes, and they don’t require hot dogs to be cut into tiny, safe pieces.
Parenting is a challenging endeavor, regardless of the ages of your children. Whether your kids are tiny and full of energy or towering over you with their teenage angst, each stage presents its own unique difficulties.
Here’s a little nugget of wisdom to ponder when your teens are driving you up the wall: if you look closely enough, you can still see the remnants of that toddler. It might be in a familiar laugh, the way they play with their hair, or even the peaceful expression they have while sleeping.
So here’s to us and our wonderfully complex children, no matter their age. May they keep us perpetually exhausted, always worrying, and endlessly loving.
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Summary: Parenting toddlers can often feel simpler than raising teenagers for several reasons, including sleep disruptions, homework struggles, and the often-comical messes toddlers create. While both stages of parenting come with their unique challenges, the nostalgic moments of toddlerhood can evoke a longing for simpler times.
Keyphrase: toddlers vs teens parenting
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