I grew up dreaming of being a mom. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want six kids, three boys and three girls. Growing up, I practiced on my dolls and then I started to babysit at the age of eleven. My first charge was my newborn cousin. A child myself, I still thought I could teach him and shape him. Fast forward to years later when I became a mom. I couldn’t wait to walk alongside them and teach them all the things I knew. As I reflect back during the first years of motherhood, I want to share what my toddlers taught me.
The fun days of toddlerhood was exhausting yet so fun. The things that would come out of their mouths would oftentimes make me laugh as they learned about the world around them.
1. Faith is Simple
Little ones don’t complicate things. They call it like it is and don’t have the capacity to overthink. I was a new Christian around the same time two of my children were at the toddler stage. Their demonstration of simple faith encouraged me not to overcomplicate things.
2. Love Unconditionally
We are taught in this Christian life to love others. It’s one of the basic tenets of our faith. While their little personalities shone through at that age, they still had little hindrance to love fiercely. In their small world, few things could cause them to hold onto anger.
3. Forgive Quickly
Forgiveness can be difficult. Watching my toddlers quickly get over offenses taught me to try to do the same. Sure, they could be in a bad mood occasionally, like any of us. However, they accepted apologies and moved on – happy with the reconciliation that occurred. [You can read the post where I talked about apologizing to our children HERE]
4. Joy is Just Around the Corner
Just as quickly as they forgave, did I see them filled with true joy. There were few worries at that age and to watch the world through their eyes, filled with wonder, was refreshing. Everything was new to their little worlds and it was expressed with joy in their discoveries.
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Parenting Series
- What My Toddlers Taught Me
- Motherhood: What I Know Now
- When Motherhood Shifts
- 3 Prayers for Your Children
This brief essay is a supplement to our Facebook video series in the Facebook group Being Brave dot Faith which discusses the same topics more in-depth. You can watch the videos by joining the group HERE.
Resources [affiliate links – click the pictures to purchase on Amazon!]:
