Tl:dr: I am not delusional, this is how I reframe to survive. 

Let's talk about the "terrible twos." It's a phrase that's thrown around like a cautionary tale, painting a picture of a pint-sized tyrant who's hell-bent on making your life a living nightmare. But let's be real: toddlers aren't terrible. It can feel terrible at the moment, but they're just figuring things out - and so are we as parents. 

As a mom of a two-year-old (and newly one year old), I've heard the "terrible twos" mantra more times than I can count. Sure, there are the moments when my son seems to be channeling his inner wild child. He's testing boundaries, expressing his emotions in the loudest way possible, and generally being a little whirlwind of chaos. But I've come to realize that these "terrible" moments are actually just a normal part of his development. This has helped me curb my anxiety when out and about or if we have a visitor during a meltdown. “It’s normal, it's normal,” repeated in my head multiple times a day.  

Toddlers are learning about their world. Everything and I mean everything is a big deal. They are figuring out how to communicate their wants and needs, even if it means throwing a full-blown meltdown over a misplaced toy. I often try to put myself in their shoes. What if I didn't know how to communicate my wants? What if my words were limited? 

So, instead of focusing on the "terrible" part of the twos, let's embrace the wild and wonderful journey that is toddlerhood. Let's celebrate their curiosity, their creativity, and their unwavering determination to get their way. Because even though they may drive us crazy at times, they're also the most adorable, hilarious, and loveable little humans on the planet.

After all, isn't it better to look at the "terrible twos" as a chance to grow and learn together? Let's embrace the little movers who are teaching us so much about patience, empathy, and the importance of a good sense of humor.