Dear Kitana,
I’ve realized that being a toddler is a tough job. Your hours are long and sometimes you end up working a double shift. I understand you have an image to maintain but today we need to chat about a few things that’s on my mind.
I heard toddlers respond well to the truth so let me tell you bluntly; if you don’t start sleeping through the night, the stork isn’t going to bring you a brother or sister to play with. Please consider my offer, I know how much you want a partner in crime.
Every time you cry, mommy wants to cry too. Every time you mess, mommy gets depressed (thinking how long it will take for the stain to come out of your new top) and the mornings where you play at 3:00 a.m., mommy wants to pull her hair out.
We need to stop the five outfit changes a day because no matter what you wear, you will always look beautiful. There is no need for you to carry lipstick wherever you go because trust me you look good without it. I know you are a little fashionista but I cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars a month buying you new shoes and lip gloss.
I understand how important it is to upset your wardrobe and throw shoes around the house, but can we limit this to once a week? I’m tired of playing treasure hunt with your shoes everyday.
I’d really appreciate it if we could work on your emotional management. You bite when you want something and cry when you don’t. Sometimes I’m not sure what to do or what to expect.
I would really appreciate it if you could quit your breast milk intake because you’ve become too addicted. You get so high on milk that you forget to eat food and that’s starting to worry me.
I know you love writing on yourself but I’d prefer if you draw on paper so it doesn’t take mommy that long to scrub your body every night. I know you pretend to brush your teeth in front of me. When I turn around, you suck all the toothpaste from the bristles and swallow it.
I need you to understand the word “No.” I’m not saying it because I want you to cry but I’m trying to teach you that some things are not meant for toddlers. The day you become a tween, you will get much more opportunities than you have now.
Let’s talk about the things you are doing right:
I hate when you cry for other kids toys; not everything is yours but I love how you protect your own.
I admire how independent you’ve become. You’ve learned to paint your own nails (and mine), put on your shoes and princess dress. When it comes to fashion, you’re the toddler they would envy.
I love how you hug and kiss everyone at home before you jump on your toddler bed and get ready for night night.
Your communication skills has improved and your words are much clearer than before, I’m starting to understand that “bubice” means “lipstick” and “pretty” means a change of clothes.
It’s unbelievably cute watching you use the remote control as a telephone. I just wish you’d stop hiding it though. Putting it in daddy’s shoe was a good idea. I would never have looked there.
But despite everything I mentioned above, I know you love me. You’ve filled my days with laughter and anger. We created memories I will never forget. Even though I have sleepless nights, I love waking up to the whisper of “Mom.”
P.S Where is my iPhone?!
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40 comments
that is a tough age.. We had to set a precedence so that the kids would know we meant business. The sleeping thing, was not easy but we have good sleepers..
Toddlers — such a great age! Yes, plenty of work, but well worth it to see them learn and explore! Enjoy!!
That’s a hard age to get through… for the parents! I finally stopped trying to negotiate. One day, I was like “That’s enough!” I took out an outfit, if they cried about it, they’d cry while they were wearing it. I just put the hammer down. I couldn’t handle it anymore. It worked, and man, was I relieved.
I know what you mean my daughter is 2, love to get her toes and nails done, and love gloss at all times, she too is a fashionista, what are we going to do with these lil divas lol
I love that your daughter has so much interest in her fashion!!! Its a tough age but worth it!
Such a cute letter!! I can totally relate…my youngest just turned 2!
A well written letter. Also, she is beautiful!!!
Haha! Really enjoyed the read π Good luck with your cute little toddler!
This is cute, what a beautiful thing to do for your toddler; it was a great read!
She is darling…and I know that this time is hard, but trust me – you’ll miss it! My little girl just left for college, and life isn’t the same without her in the house. Enjoy these moments, and keep writing them down!
She’s adorable and this was a fun read. I remember when my kids were toddlers. Enjoy every minute of it – the good, the bad – maybe not the sleepless nights. They grow up way too quickly! I’m impressed with her nail polish skills.
This is a tough age, we just passed through this age at my house. Being a toddler is a hard job and so is being a mommy. You are doing good! What a cutie!
So sweet. I remember those amazing, wonder-filled days. My “baby” is 25 now…don’t blink!
Being a toddler is hard! And so us being s parent of a toddler!
this is funny! So true. I love it. xxxx
This is a great letter to your toddler. Kids have a knack for losing our cell phones.
I love your sense of humor as well as the honesty in this piece. Beautifully written. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading! π
What a sweet pea! I love that you wrote a letter – so precious!
Such a wonderful moment between mother and daughter.
Oh my gosh – this is absolutely adorable! I can definitely relate to this letter, as I’m a mother of 3 daughters and one very needy little man.
You have described the joys of a toddler so well! What a precious and beautiful little girl you have been blessed with! I love the P.S., and I think it is so wonderful that you are still breastfeeding. Please keep it up!! God bless! π
Thank you so much.
How poignant and beautiful. I do hope she appreciates ti when she’s older… so touching. π
Aww this is too adorable. I am no mother but even I find this really sweet and touching.
I just love this idea….. You blink and your little ones are all grown up. What you think is a huge and challenging time with your little’s ones passes so quickly and another challenge will arise. This is the wonderful joys of parenting π
Thanks for reading, π It’s definitely an age to make lots of memories.
I can’t remember what I was thinking when I was a toddler, and I think most people don’t. Being one is also hard since not all things can be understood easily, but it’s great because this is the age of exploration.
Oh yes! They exploring and getting up to mischief everyday.
My favorite part is about sleeping if they want a partner in crime! So very true!!
What an amazing idea! I love the letter idea. I think it is so much easier these days to snap photos of all the fun. Thanks for sharing and enjoy every day.
Thank you, it’s something I always wanted to do. Lol
The toddler stage is tough. I love your letter.
What a nice letter to your toddler, I actually loved the toddler stage, my kids never went through any terrible two stages.
Love this letter in that case my toddler isnt so bad hey …
A sweet letter to your toddler. I love it!
Beautiful- my girls lost one of my slippers the other night, now I walk around wearing one slipper!
Such an adorable letter. She is too cute. It is amazing how the little words are forming and how they get so good with their gestures. They are growing up so fast it seems impossible that we might miss these times. π
I’m an aunty living with a very busy 1 year old nephew. I so enjoyed reading this blog.
Thank you so much Melissa. I love reading comments. Hope you keep reading. π