Differences are easy to spot when comparing toddlers and teens. Height, weight, clothing style, etc. are all very obvious. The toddlers often drool or walk around with food on their face, teens wouldn't be caught dead with spaghetti face or peanut butter cheeks. There are many differences but I am learning that there are similarities too.
Teens and toddlers often do things without using their manners. They both like the word "no" and "mine" and use them often. Tantrums are not reserved for just the short-folk... they can happen in the larger ones too. If you are having one of those days with your teen or toddler you might even witness the arm flapping and feet kicking too.
I work in the childcare field and often talk to parents about the stages a child goes through. It's totally normal for a toddler to have floor flapping hissy fits from time to time and we all accept that. Sometimes it's even cute and you have to hide your smile and put your serious face on. As for the teens.... They are bigger, louder, and sometimes they make us cry during their tantrums. It is hard sometimes to remember that they too must go through this stage as well.
There is such a long time between the ages 2 and 17. Those of us with toddlers are expecting the tantrums and prepare ourselves for each and every one of them.
As I go through a toddler stage with my own teen I wonder how I can better prepare for these outbursts. Distraction doesn't work very well for this age group. Time-outs in their room makes them madder and with my child I swear he could spit fire when he gets really mad. "it's a stage, it's a stage" I keep reminding myself as I watch my "taller than me" teen have a freak-out. The cuteness isn't there like it was when he was two. I know it's a stage but I can't decide if the stage is designed to teach my teen or myself. What do I get out of his tantrums? A headache..... Noise pollution..... I don't know. It doesn't seem fair. The teen gets to let off steam, be heard, and breath fire or spit balls if mad enough. I think parents need stages. It's just not fair. What do you think?
Uh oh! Our short convo of Toddlers vs Teens sparked something! hehe...As a teen who could have spit fire too...It really really is a stage and a battle of self discovery. Looking back I understand that the whole "angry teen years" were about figuring out who I..IIII... was, not who my parents were trying to develop me to be, society expected me to be or my friends pressured me to be.... It's so crazy hard. I wouldn't go back for all the money in the world. I think the biggest thing my parents could have done for me is EXTREME patience, space to make a few mistakes, an open non-judgemental ear, and some light hearted suggestions and support....all of which I believe you're probably doing already! Hang in there! 5 more to go Sam! ;)
ReplyDelete