Terrific Two’s: Nothing about My Two Year Old is Terrible

Months before our 2-year-old daughter, Riley Jayne was born my husband and I were bombarded with the “wait until she turns 2″, stories from parents forewarning us about the “terrible two’s”. Without debating with seasoned parents, we decided that we would lay a foundation for our daughter that would steer us clear of the so-called terrible two’s.

Before we were parents, we would always hear from people who had kids that once they turn two years old it goes downhill and its so terrible. If that is all that you hear from your family and friends, you can sometimes begin to think that. My husband and I think differently, so we knew that we didn’t want that negative energy put into the universe about our daughter. So before she was even born we didn’t speak that into her life.

First of all, words are very powerful. My husband and I believe that if you speak something, good or bad, you draw it closer to your life. Relating the word terrible and our daughter does not line up with our positive mental attitude. On Riley’s 2nd birthday we made sure to tell everyone how she was entering the Terrific Two’s! The proclamation caught many people off guard because they were so used to hearing the opposite of terrific as it relates to two-year-olds.

A few months after her 2nd birthday the cable guy was installing  cable at our home and he asked how old my daughter was and if she was our first child. When  I replied “she’s two”, he said, “Oh boy, you don’t know what you are in for.” Before he could get it out, my husband told him we were experiencing the Terrific Twos with our daughter. I’ll never forget his response. “Wow, I’ve never heard someone put it that way, very positive outlook.”

Riley has really been a terrific two-year-old in so many ways. She has learned to be patient and share. She also observes and questions the world around her. Of course  like any toddler she has meltdowns, but we all do right? The good days drastically outnumber the bad days and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

As a parent, I’ve learned that our children will live up to the standards we set for them. Negative labels and thoughts will induce negative results just as positive ones do the opposite.

What are your thoughts on the term “Terrible Two?”