.jpg/dims/resize/740/optimize) |
Every parent, at one point or another, may believe that their baby is an angel. Not just figuratively speaking, but really, like literally, an angel sent straight from heaven. After all, why wouldn't they? The tiny little human beings resemble mom and dad in the cutest way ever.
But wait till they start developing their self-ego and start wanting things their way. That's when the real fun begins.
I never considered my twin girls to be tough to please, but lately they've been two very high-maintenance babies on a mad mood swing.
We're all visiting Korea, so it's understandable that they're completely derailed from the jetlag and drastic change in daily routine. Even mom and dad are struggling to get things together.
But after two weeks, I'm still seeing that the girls aren't their usual selves. They went from always smiley and cheerful babies to easily irritable and short-tempered little individuals.
What happened? Are they still tired from the 14-hours plane ride? Are they each getting a new tooth? Are they constantly overtired from Korea's hustle and bustle?
After seeing days of odd and oppositional behavior, such as Baby A throwing a fit for being put in her stroller and Baby B having a meltdown for not getting her banana fast enough, I realized that it's time to find out what's behind their abrupt and frequent flare-ups.
As much as it's hard to believe, it turns out the twins may be going through an early phase of the "terrible twos,'' the difficult but normal toddler stage dreaded by most parents.
This is a time when a child begins to develop and practice independence, experiences significant mood changes and expresses her frustration and defiance through temper tantrums.
This tough period used to begin typically around age 2, but experts seem to agree that it can now strike as early as 15 months and last until 34 months. Wow, that's 20 months.
Just the thought of managing a fussy toddler for 20 whole months gives me an upset stomach. On bad days, even two hours drains mom to her core.
I can't let my girls get sucked into an evil developmental black hole. I need to rescue them. And yes, I sound like I'm going crazy.
So what is a wise mom supposed to do in a time of crisis like this?
From all my research and reading, I've summed up a parent's most ideal and effective solution to one thing ― consistency.
Toddlers are already going through so many internal and external changes of their own that the last thing they need is a mom and dad who constantly flip their behavior day and night.
Although consistency sounds simple and easy to do, experienced parents know that it isn't.
On super tiring days, moms sometimes secretly want to give in to their child's demands just to keep her calm. But experts say this is a major no-no.
Ah, do we ever get a break?
This period is so trying for children and parents alike, but I'm told that ― drum roll please ― this too shall pass. For me, this overused word of wisdom doesn't help in any way, but I guess it's better than hearing that you're stuck for good.
For parents tasked to manage a sensitive and moody toddler, just remember to always try to keep calm and refrain from flipping out. Keep regular routines as much as possible, stay in control and let your little one experience some independence.
I haven't done all of these things yet, but I'm about to start a new morning with a renewed mommy spirit and try working with my twin toddlers so they can snap out of this draining phase as soon as possible.
Of course, we all know by now that toddlers don't work the way we anticipate. But this time, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Two weeks later, we'll find out if consistency and patience really do work magic on babies.
![[ANALYSIS] Tesla, BYD's price cuts unnerve LGES, Samsung, SK](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/b1cf8ba68d474cb69352bfe7ea9d14f0.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] How ATEEZ achieved worldwide success](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/c7723b56dde94eb4b260950d368fe8fb.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
