Are terrible two’s only for two year olds?

The thought actually hit my husband first as she was lying on the floor crying. Face down on the floor. Drool pooling on the floor. Arms and legs outstretched.

I had to ask him to repeat what he was asking me as I could not hear over the (17 month old girl) ‘tantrum’.

“Can the terrible two’s start earlier than two?” he said loudly. Sounded like a pretty reasonable question at this moment. Apparently the frustration level of humans from 1 to 3 years old is quite high as their comprehension level is so high compared to their communication skill level. And not too mention all the things she wants and cannot have (even just for safety reasons) and then also everything she wants to do physically but has not yet mastered (apparently things like tight rope walking).

The pool of drool and tears was starting to grow outside the outline of her little frame as she lay there on the floor while the parents stand and meditate on the theory of terrible two’s not being just for two year olds…does this sound like an ad? “Terrible two’s are not just for two year olds, no silly parents, the whole family can join in this behavior!”

Realizing we were not paying enough attention to the ever hug and kiss starved child (extreme sarcasm here), we both tried to give her a hug…ask her if she was ok. Will we never learn?

She then hit us away….yes swatted at the two of us like we were flies buzzing around her head while she was in such ‘pain’.

In a loud voice my husband then said “do you think she is bi-polar?” One of the main reasons why I married this wonderful man. His sense of humour and my sense of humour are intertwined so tightly most people might not laugh at our jokes. Oh the two of us giggled and looked at our spawn on the floor having a meltdown.

Well then I said "hey want to go for a walk outside to see Na-Na?" A nod and a run to Mom and all was good in the world again.

Sometimes I wonder if these little times are meant to slow us down as parents. Recognize you are a family and everyone has their good and bad days (or just crazy moments in the life of a pre two year old).