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Won’t You Stay a Toddler Just a Little While Longer?

3 Minute Read

By Kalan Krueger

Little girl sitting on steps, color photo — Image via Kalan Krueger

Toddler. Hood.

Help me, Jesus.

It is the swinging back and forth of a pendulum between staring at the most precious thing on God’s planet and losing your mind.

It is an aching in your heart that they are at your breast no more, but loving that they are, in fact, no longer at your breast.

It is the giggles behind their back as they tell you something of great importance.

It is the perfection of that tiny voice that can never be replicated, as much as you wish it could be.

RELATED: Yes, Toddlers Are Wild—But There’s No One Sweeter

It is the sound of little feet coming full blast your way, tackling you to the floor. It is the fearful sound of silence, never knowing what you will find when you find the source of quiet.

It is the cleaning of messes for the 37th time before lunch and the knowledge that the messes will one day be gone.

It is being on your fourth cup of coffee before realizing you are starving.

It is potty training. Enough said.

It is wild, and it is energy never-ending.

It is excitement and meltdowns and naps and snacks (and more snacks)—over and over and over until one day they are in kindergarten.

RELATED: Dear Toddler, Even on the Hard Days I Love You So Much

It is the joy in the carrying of a body still tiny enough to hold with ease, knowing that soon enough they will be as tall as you. It is trying to imprint into your soul what holding that little, 25-pound body feels like, their weight a part of you.

It is falling into bed, eyes barely open, but your heart exploding with thankfulness.

It is exhaustion and laughter. It is patience and failing. It is emotions. Big, big emotions. Yours and theirs.

It is the learning that with each child, their growing brings you life.

RELATED: The Secret No One Told Me About the Toddler Years is How Much I Could Absolutely Love Them

It is beautiful and joyful and scary.

It is complete and total innocence in life that can never be recaptured, and it is a gift to be given this stage.

In God’s great wisdom, He knew this stage was needed. He knew this would be a sweet spot we would want to remember forever, and that it would also be a spot that would humble us. He knew it would teach us love and joy and patience.

So, don’t grow up just yet, sweet pea. Stay here with me for a little while longer. Stretch out toddlerhood until I’m forced to acknowledge its passing.

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

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Kalan Krueger

I am a solo momma to three minions and 2 dogs. A perpetual over-cooker of every single piece of chicken but can bake a mean banana pumpkin chocolate chip bread. I have lived some of life's darkest moments but choose to write about the light that God always provides. You can find me over at tattooedheart.org.

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Won’t You Stay a Toddler Just a Little While Longer?

It is the giggles behind their back as they tell you something of great importance.

RELATED: Yes, Toddlers Are Wild—But There’s No One Sweeter

It is wild, and it is energy never-ending.

RELATED: Dear Toddler, Even on the Hard Days I Love You So Much

RELATED: The Secret No One Told Me About the Toddler Years is How Much I Could Absolutely Love Them

It is complete and total innocence in life that can never be recaptured, and it is a gift to be given this stage.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Kalan Krueger

These Moms on the Sidelines Became My People

I Wanted Experts to Fix My Child with ADHD. Instead, They Changed Me.

Parenting a Child with a Disability Is Holy Ground

I Came Home With a Baby—and Lost Myself

He Doesn’t Always Need Me Anymore and I’m Not Sure How To Feel About It

We Keep Calling Her Confident, But She Doesn’t Trust Herself

I Knew Something Was Wrong, But No One Listened—And It Almost Cost Me My Daughter

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

Won’t You Stay a Toddler Just a Little While Longer?

It is the giggles behind their back as they tell you something of great importance.

It is wild, and it is energy never-ending.

It is complete and total innocence in life that can never be recaptured, and it is a gift to be given this stage.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

These Moms on the Sidelines Became My People

I Wanted Experts to Fix My Child with ADHD. Instead, They Changed Me.

Parenting a Child with a Disability Is Holy Ground

I Came Home With a Baby—and Lost Myself

He Doesn’t Always Need Me Anymore and I’m Not Sure How To Feel About It

We Keep Calling Her Confident, But She Doesn’t Trust Herself

I Knew Something Was Wrong, But No One Listened—And It Almost Cost Me My Daughter

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

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