The Dawdle

I am currently facing one of my greatest trials as a parent.

THE DAWDLE

[cue psycho strings]

Now that Ian is two, he finds enjoyment in inspecting everything. Each moment is to be savored for as long as possible, every experience to be explored to its limit. The applies to washing hands, going up (or down) stairs, walking through the house, climbing into the car seat, etc.

I am not a patient person, and that is amplified now that I have a newborn. Sometimes I feel like Ian waits until I have a crying, hungry baby to decide he needs to try a new skill.

“Okay, Ian, I’m going to put you in your high chair for lunch.”

“ME DO IT!”

“Okay, climb up into your high chair.”

[Ian climbs halfway into his chair and stops.]

“CAREFUL DOWN THERE.”

“That’s right, be careful. Now sit down so we can fasten you into your chair.”

[squawk from baby]

“ME DO IT!”

“Okay, fasten yourself into your chair.”

[Ian fastens his high chair latch while singing a song. Then he unfastens it. Then he starts to re-fasten it.]

[Baby squawks louder.]

The most trying times are right before naptime, when Ian, David, and I all are a bit grumpy and ready for naps. David is hungry and tired, I need to run to the bathroom and then close my eyes for a few minutes, and Ian is trying his best to avoid sleeping. The other day the nap avoidance took the form of Ian laying down on Every. Single. Step. and examining lint as I tried to get him upstairs to his bedroom. It was everything I could do not to shout, “WOULD YOU PLEASE GET UPSTAIRS NOW I NEED TO POTTY AND YOUR BROTHER IS SCREAMING AND WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!”

Instead, I took a deep breath and accepted the progress toward naptime, bit by bit.

Yes, The Dawdle is a challenge for me, but tonight I can see the lessons waiting for me in it. I need daily reminders that life is about being, not doing. Finding joy in everyday situations is a beautiful way to live, and I am glad I have a toddler to show me the way.