Toddler everyday life – 9 things nobody talks about

The first year of life is behind you, and your little explorer is gradually but surely developing from a baby into a lively toddler. An exciting time lies ahead of you, which will undoubtedly sometimes be exhausting – but just as beautiful. We reveal nine unexpected things that life with a toddler has in store for you.

1. A nice meal? That was once!

Probably, it is already familiar to you from everyday life with a baby, but at the latest when , it is time to say goodbye to lengthy meals at the nicely set table. Most dishes are suddenly much too impractical, because with a toddler, one thing counts above all: it has to be quick. Additionally, your little gourmet probably prefers to eat only pasta with sauce anyway – but with this dish, he manages to turn the kitchen into a state in need of renovation every time. And since he refuses most of the other dishes you prepare with a lot of love, your meals for the foreseeable future mainly consist of the leftovers from your child's plate. ;)

Goodbye, second order.

Before the birth of your child, you invested a lot of time and effort into furnishing your apartment. Your pride and joy was the bright carpet with the matching white sofa. However, as soon as your toddler becomes mobile and starts exploring the apartment on their own, you may have to put your interior design dreams on hold. Everything that is fragile and could fall victim to curious little fingers is safely stored away anyway. Instead, not only the children's room is characterized by an almost endless amount of . Your beloved white sofa has also been transformed into a bounce house, and carrot stains adorn the cushions. Your new interior concept? Life!

3. The playground becomes your second living room.

Don't worry, you'll spend more time than in your (upside-down) apartment anyway at the playground, where your toddler tirelessly digs, swings, or slides. The nice side effect? You will surely make some that you'll meet there more often in the coming months or even years.

4. A child's mouth reveals the truth.

When your child starts to talk and share their thoughts, there's plenty to marvel at and laugh about – unless you're about to sink into the ground from embarrassment. This happens, for example, in moments when your little explorer asks at the supermarket checkout if the man there has a baby in his belly or cheerfully reports from the daycare about your last trip to the toilet. Don’t worry, most parents of young children are probably all too familiar with such situations, and it doesn't take long before you respond to them with complete composure. Keep a record of the funniest and most embarrassing anecdotes and comfort yourself with the thought that things will turn around by the time your child hits puberty, when everything you have to tell becomes embarrassing for them. ;)

5. Prepare yourself for discussions.

The days when your child would put on the baby romper of your choice are over. Your toddler is developing their own mind more and more and wants to assert it. Whether it's about putting on a jacket, going to bed, or brushing teeth: everything is suddenly questioned, and with the famous "why" discussion, your child repeatedly tests their limits. This is also accompanied by temper tantrums when things don't go as they would like. Even though it may present you with some challenges, the terrible twos between ages two and three are not only completely natural but also extremely important for your child's development of autonomy.

6. Your bed no longer belongs to you alone.

If you have a , the following point is probably nothing new to you. If, on the other hand, your child has so far slept in their own (sidecar) bed, you will probably need to get used to the fact that in the future, a little person will be a more frequent guest in the parents' bed. While your bed used to be equipped with two pillows and two blankets, it now consists of a whole arsenal of pillows and blankets, three to four cuddly toys, a fire truck, a licked pretzel, and at least two picture books. The nice thing: cuddling sessions after waking up are included in the new setup.

7. Your vacation planning is different from usual.

Earlier, you thought of vacation as backpacking in exotic countries, a spontaneous city trip, or an extensive wellness holiday. With a toddler, however, vacation means farm holidays, driving to the Baltic Sea by car, or staying at a family hotel. Moreover, not only have the preparations and packing become more complicated, but upon arrival, with your adventurous little explorer, long sleep-ins or relaxing are no longer on the agenda. Despite everything, you wouldn't trade your , where there is so much new to discover, for anything in the world.

8. Your new sports program? Your child.

Perhaps you are like many parents and the time you used to spend on sports has significantly decreased since the birth. But we have good news: as your toddler becomes more mobile, your exercise routine will increase again noticeably. Daily activities include the and carrying of your now surprisingly heavy child, as well as reorganizing the emptied lower shelves.

9. You miss your baby.

Every day your child learns something new, becomes more independent, and spends more and more time alone, the certainty grows: your child is no longer a baby and cannot be brought back. Once you realize this, the sleepless nights and the constant breastfeeding of the early days are forgotten. Instead, you remember the incomparable newborn scent and how tiny your baby was in your arms. In these moments, you suddenly long for the everyday life of a baby, and perhaps even the desire for a second child to experience the baby phase once again. Until your toddler comes around the corner and keeps you on your toes, and the wish is forgotten for now – at least until tomorrow. ;)

Everyday life with a toddler constantly brings surprises and presents new challenges. At the same time, it's wonderful to observe your little explorer's new developmental milestones every day. When doubts arise in you at the end of a particularly exhausting day, remember: you're doing great and can be proud of how much your child has already developed!