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Hello Chaos: A Peek into a Day with Two Toddlers
by Julia Hartman
Updated: June 12, 2023
Originally Published: June 29, 2017
What do parents really do all day? It’s a challenge to articulate, so I thought I’d share a glimpse into my daily life — a snapshot of what it’s like to manage two toddlers. My son, Leo, turns 2 in August, while his older sister, Chloe, will be 4 in July. It’s astounding how quickly time flies! In the meantime, one thing is certain: caring for young children continuously, overseeing every meal, nap, diaper change, potty break, bedtime routine, and tantrum, all while striving to be a good parent, demands immense energy — both mentally and physically. So, let’s dive in — here’s what a day in my life with toddlers looks like:
3:00 a.m.
I’m roused from a light slumber by Leo’s noises. A quick glance at the monitor reveals he’s sleeping (albeit loudly), so I close my eyes again.
3:42 a.m.
Unable to sleep, my mind races with tasks and worries beyond my control. A mild panic surfaces as “Number of the Day” from Sesame Street loops in my head, but I manage to block it out and drift off once more.
5:30 a.m.
Chloe bursts into our room, exclaiming, “I’m awake! I’m so happy!” I plead with her to go back to bed, and she reluctantly agrees. Unfortunately, we’re now wide awake and can’t fall back asleep.
6:30 a.m.
I finally get out of bed and brew some coffee. I attempt to work briefly while the house remains quiet, but inspiration eludes me, so I try a 10-minute meditation. I give up when I hear both kids stirring. I empty the dishwasher before getting them up.
7:00 a.m.
Breakfast time! I prepare coffee (my precious coffee) for myself and Greg, eggs for the three of us, and oatmeal for Leo, who is currently egg-free due to digestive concerns.
7:30 a.m.
Post-breakfast cleanup begins while the kids play. Leo tends to make a mess, but at least he points out the oatmeal globs he drops on the floor.
8:00 a.m.
I attempt a shower. I drag the Pack ‘n Play into the bathroom, filling it with toys to keep Leo entertained for a few minutes while I hurry through my routine. He quickly loses interest, leading to a mini meltdown while I’m rinsing conditioner from my hair. I emerge from the shower looking a bit disheveled — half beauty queen, half wild animal.
8:30 a.m.
Getting both kids dressed proves to be a monumental task. It’s hard to explain how a simple activity can become so chaotic, often involving tears, negotiations, and someone leaving the house with mismatched shoes.
8:45 a.m.
I try to fold laundry but watch in dismay as Leo unfolds everything I neatly stacked. This cycle continues until I finally surrender.
9:00 a.m.
Snack time! If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be transitioning from breakfast to snack by 9 a.m., I would’ve laughed. Yet, here we are.
9:30 a.m.
Time for a diaper change. As I reach for the dirty diaper, Leo decides to leap off the changing pad. I manage to catch him mid-air, and we share a stunned moment before he squirms away, giggling. I can’t help but laugh at the sight of his little bare bottom running down the hall.
10:00 a.m.
Repairmen arrive, forcing us to stay indoors. We start with puzzles and then venture outside. Being outdoors can be fun, but mostly I find myself mediating disputes and ensuring safety, like repeatedly explaining why pushing Leo down the stairs isn’t acceptable.
11:30 a.m.
Back inside, I change the kids, who are now muddy. I set up the easel and paint to keep them occupied while I prepare lunch. I soon regret this decision when Leo starts painting his belly, and Chloe joins in. At least it gives me a few minutes to make lunch! Lunch consists of cucumber sandwiches, as our garden has produced an abundance of cucumbers. I prepare a dairy-free version for Leo.
11:45 a.m.
Bobby, our lawn guy, arrives. The kids love him, and we all wave from the back door. I suddenly realize Leo has yanked my tank top down, causing quite the embarrassing moment. Mental note: avoid flashing Bobby in the future.
12:00 p.m.
Lunchtime! I recognize I haven’t had an uninterrupted moment since early morning. I leave the door open to keep an ear on the kids while I eat quickly.
1:00 p.m.
Nap time… or so I thought. Leo goes down easily, but the workers are in Chloe’s room, so she skips her nap. Instead, she has “quiet time” with me, which quickly turns into chaos as she interrupts me nonstop. I provide her with a book and more paint to keep her entertained.
2:00 p.m.
Leo wakes up, ending nap time. I change him into outfit No. 3 for the day.
2:15 p.m.
We have a freeze dance party! The kids are typically energetic after napping, so I use this time to wear them out a bit. Plus, it counts as my workout — bonus!
2:45 p.m.
Snack time again! Today, it’s smoothies since we have errands to run. Chloe loves helping make smoothies.
3:00 p.m.
We head to the post office to mail out signed books. I strap Leo into the stroller to keep him secure while Chloe walks beside me. Armed with snacks, I brace myself for any meltdowns. Leo eventually fusses, and I overhear some unkind remarks from bystanders. I’ve learned to filter out negativity, especially from those who don’t understand the challenges of parenting. Chloe saves the day by singing to Leo, which calms him enough for me to finish my task.
3:45 p.m.
We visit the park! Both kids want to swing, and the whining begins.
5:30 p.m.
Dinner time! In the midst of food prep, I attempt to discuss the day with Greg, but interruptions abound, leading us to abandon the conversation. I joke about feeling like I’m in an asylum, and he agrees. I find myself saying some truly ridiculous things, like telling Chloe she can smell my armpit after dinner. Don’t ask.
6:30 p.m.
We clean up after dinner. Thankfully, Greg is home tonight and takes over bath time while I tidy the kitchen and start another load of laundry.
7:30 p.m.
Kids are finally in bed! I plan to tackle my to-do list, but just as I sit down for a moment of peace… ZZZ…
And there you have it! There’s a lot that goes unseen in the everyday chaos. You miss the struggle of getting kids into car seats, the hilarity of setting up a stroller in a parking lot, and all the moments of joy, laughter, and learning that fill the day. The emotional roller coaster of parenting revolves around fulfilling the basic needs of little ones while navigating their world.
So, what do you really do all day?
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Summary:
This post provides an authentic look into a typical day in the life of a parent with two toddlers. From early morning wake-ups to chaotic meal times and spontaneous adventures, it highlights the challenges and joys of parenting young children. The narrative captures the emotional highs and lows, showcasing the love and laughter that define family life.