Out of Control Toddlers Can Wear a Mommy Down
At one time in my life, my daughter was an uncontrollable child.
During the tender parenting years, I remember one night quite clearly.
That night, I collapsed in my bed and began sobbing.
How could this be happening?
Why weren’t all my parenting “tricks” working with this child?
Most people would say my daughter was “free-spirited”, but I knew she was no where close to what I was raising her to be.
I had read every single parenting book that was available.
I had prepared for this stage in my life.
I had successfully raised another three-year-old who was well-behaved, polite and obedient.
But this three-year-old?
She defined the word impossible.
The Impossible Toddler Made This Mother Weep
Impossible.
It’s such a dreary, crushing word when you apply it to raising one of your children.
But I was beginning to think that “impossible” would be the true summation of my entire parenting experience with this bubbly, brilliant, but defiant child.
What was this three-year-old like that defined the word impossible?
She was the one that looked every which or way to see if anyone was watching and then would purposely go do exactly what her parent had told her not to do.
It was like a “happy rush” for her to be sneaky!
Her first word was “dada”, which was followed by “mama” and then the defiant, ever repetitive “no.”
She liked that word. She liked to couple that word with sticking out her tongue.
She was also the ONLY child (out of our six kids) who was brazen enough to slap her grandmother across the face.
She would also be the one to stand up and walk across a pew during church when you motioned for her to come sit beside you.
And when she was at the end of the pew?
She stepped on a Bible and slipped and fell…during the church service.
On the very front row.
She was also the one who would refuse to follow simple instructions like “raise your arms” when you wanted to get her out of the high chair.
I mean a long, daring stare and then an obstinate folding of the arms.
She let her body language speak loud and clear.
Why Was This Toddler Impossible?
This toddler was also the one who would fall asleep at the table because she would absolutely refuse to eat her veggies.
She would also be the one that would somehow super sleuth her way into the kitchen, grab cookies, and hide them in her sleeves.
And yes, this mom did a “cookie pat down” very often.
She was THAT kid.
One night all her three-year-old misdemeanors seemed to topple me and plunge me into the depths of parenting despair.
I was exhausted.
Defeated.
Humiliated.
I felt like the poster child for “mom failure.”
Can a Three Year Old Make a Mom Feel Like a Failure?
How could I not get a THREE YEAR OLD to listen, obey, and just act like a normal human being?
In the midst of my tears and weighty sobs, I called out to the One I should have cried out to in the very beginning.
“Oh dear God. Please help me with my child. I am confused. I have no “parenting hacks” left and I honestly want to give up. I love my spunky, light-hearted child, but I also don’t know how to parent her. I feel like I’m losing control of her and I need YOU to step in and take over. I need you to help her in some way! Please God, HELP!”
Those desperate pleas were the last thing I remembered before I woke up to a little hand patting my arm.
“Mommy? Mommy?” came the very tender voice.
I groggily opened my eyes that were red, puffy, and painful from a night filled with uncontrollable sobbing.
“Yes?” I asked in emotionally exhausted confusion.
“Mommy, I want to help you today. What can I do?” her tiny voice asked angelically.
I was floored.
I almost pinched myself to make sure this was really happening.
Is that really my little, auburn-haired, three-year-old offering her help?
God Helped This Mom With Her Out of Control Child
Then I immediately remembered my prayer to my loving, caring, Heavenly Father.
My heart melted in thanks to God and burst with exuberant joy to see my daughter begin her journey in becoming a kind, caring, obedient daughter.
God taught me a lesson through that little girl.
He taught me that no matter how many parenting books I’ve read or parenting “hacks” I’ve tried, HE is still the one in complete control.
He can move the heart of kings, right?
I’m more than sure he can move the heart of a three-year-old!
He also taught me to pray for the hearts of my children.
Fervently.
Continuously.
And also taught me some creative consequences that have been very effective in our parenting journey.
Sometimes you HAVE to get creative in that area, right?!
And that daughter today?
She’s a brilliant, kind, obedient, teen who’s crazy helpful and is a shining example of what God can do if parents will just let Him and His truths guide their parenting journey.
So I ask you, dear mom, do you have a child who has made you heap gigantic tears onto your pillow at night?
Is there a child who gives you red and puffy eyes?
Is There Hope for Uncontrollable Toddlers?
There is hope.
There is a solution.
Just look up, dear mom.
Ask the One who created you and your child for guidance and help.
It will come.
And when it does, your heart will be thankful and joyful towards a God who sees, hears and knows all about your parenting needs.
And guess what?
He loves your “out of control child” way more than you — and light years more than any other being in heaven or in earth.
May you find your answer today.
Want more help for your “out of control” kid?
Check out this post that’s full of the best parenting tips for an “out of control kid”.
