Great Expectations

This weekend (and not for the first time) it occurred to me just how hard life must be for a toddler. Not only are they trying to to figure out the world, but they also have to deal with constant direction and helpful "suggestions" from just about every adult who comes in contact with them. A simple task...take walking down the street for instance...becomes a car fully orchestrated sequence of events during which the toddler is told how fast to walk ("hurry it up, please"); when to stop and start ("Look both ways before you cross. All clear? Okay, let's go); even what they can and cannot touch ("no! the garbage can is dirty!"). You get my drift.

Now, take that simple task and multiply it by a thousand and you've got last weekend for us. We traveled to Chicago for the much anticipated (and well worth the wait) wedding of hubby's step-sister and her fantastic finance -two of the kindest, most endearing people I know. We were lucky enough to be invited to all of the fun activities that typically surround an out-of-town wedding. It was basically one celebratory event after another from the moment our plane landed -from the bridal luncheon, to the rehearsal dinner, brunch and the reception. Great for adults...not so much fun for the little man. Add on top of that, five days in a city hotel room and you're asking for trouble.

Needless to say, by day number two, with not a nap in sight and no chance at keeping a regular schedule, we were already seeing signs of a meltdown. After a particularly difficult afternoon of trying to get the bean to "rest" for a while, it occur rs to me that my relationship with my beloved son rivals that of a tormented high school romance. A constant roller coaster of emotions that can only be described as exhausting. And I'm the adult in the relationship! I can't begin to imagine what it must feel like on his end.

So, a gentle reminder all the parents out there (and this goes for my many friends who are still basking in the glow of their newborns' smiles and can't possibly imagine their precious angels doing anything wrong)...not every action needs a reaction and sometimes silence is a great form of encouragement.