Switch flipper

If you have ever had  a 3 year old...you will most likely be able to commiserate with me on this topic. I have been down this road before, and that is why I feel educated enough to bring this topic up.

To hell with the Terrible Two's. Two year olds don't scare me at all. Maybe you have a 2 year old right now and maybe you think age 2 is terrible. And maybe at one time, a kindhearted stranger at the grocery store check- out (or me right now!!!) has asked you how old your angel is. When you tell them (or me) they are two years old and the stranger's smile (or mine) turns very serious and says something like " Oh, I loved Age 2. Three is the new 2." Don't be confused. BELIEVE THEM (and me!)!

Savor your child's second year.... who cares if they discover the word "no!" and use it freely.... no biggie. Who cares if they discover some new found independence and "I do it!!!" becomes the first words out of their mouth when you try to do ANYTHING for them. I promise you.... you are living the dream with a 2 year old...(and I feel qualified to say that because I  also just had a fresh 2 year old pop up a month ago).

There is this switch....and sometime between blowing out three candles on their birthday cake and waking up the following morning....it is flipped. The negativity "NO!" and independence "I do it!" is replaced with a whiny, defiant stranger. They might look exactly like your two year old.... but be warned.... they are not....aliens have invaded their tiny body while they slept.

Usually happy 2 year old.... trying out the new "no-smile 3 year old" look

Activities like going to the circus, going for ice cream and generally anything pleasurable at all are quickly met with " Buuuuut, I don't waaaant to!". Offers of replacing broccoli with candy bars are met with "Buuut, I don't liiiike candy bars" (ok, I haven't tried this.... but I swear this would be the case!). You can expect to hear other enchanting phrases like:

But, I don't want to blow my nose.
But, I don't like my bed.
But, this show (that I have watched the past 365 days) is scary.
But, I don't want my diaper changed.
But, I don't like to eat lunch, dinner, breakfast, apples, pizza, candy, fruit.....
or my favorite as of late (EVERY DAY WHEN I PUT HIS JACKET ON)....
But, I really hate zippers. (huh??!!)

At a parade, a usually happy experience- pitching fit in an attempt to be as miserable as possible.

Here's the thing.... before you start sweating about your own almost three year old or are concerned that I might be putting mine up for sale.... I can also assure you with certainty.... the switch EVENTUALLY, even when you feel like it never will, will get flipped back the other way. Granted, we're not even a month in on this round of Terrifying Three....but I see glimmer of that old sweet 2 year old in there..... and I know he'll be back for good someday.... just about the exact same time our next Terrible 2's switch flips!

Hopefully, the little one isn't paying too much attention and will stay 2 forever!