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7 Habits I Hope My Toddler Breaks Before the Teen Years

July 20, 2012 by Nicole Robinson

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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pinnable toddler years teenage years

The orderly wheeled me to the car with my newborn daughter cradled in my arms. I remember thinking how absurd it was that they would send me home so soon. What did I know about taking care of a baby? The hospital never checked my credentials to see if I was up for the task. After a quick check of the car seat, our new little family headed down the freeway.

That was more than a year and a half ago, though it seems like yesterday. It all goes so fast, which is why I’m not ashamed to admit that I think about the teen years. Okay, I’m a little obsessed with what my daughter will be like as a teenager. Will she be that wisecracking, sassy girl I see on television sitcoms? Despite her sharp tongue, she can’t hide her heart of gold and no matter how many times she rolls her eyes, she loves her parents. I could work with that.

Enjoy those hugs and kisses now, when she’s 13 she won’t even talk to you. Hide your car keys and lock up the liquor cabinets. Much like expectant mothers, future parents of teens get their share of scary comments from loved ones and total strangers. While I don’t buy into every teen horror story, I can attest to being a teenage jerk. Sorry Mommy for the millionth time.

My baby girl is sweet, loving, creative and funny. Best of all, she adores me. It’s hard to imagine that things will ever change between us. To protect our future relationship and my future sanity, I have identified seven habits that I hope my toddler does not carry into the teen years.

1. Excessive telephone time. My daughter spends a big part of her day on the phone. No matter that the “phone” is usually a remote control or her own foot. She gabs, wags her finger, and pops a hand against her knee when the conversation is getting really good. I hope my future teen does not spend too much energy talking, texting, gaming, and whatever other time stealers future cell phones possess.

2. Hatred of books. Hate might be too strong. She loves books in her own special way, like slobbering on them, throwing them across the room and tap dancing on them. I get jealous when other moms describe their story time with their toddlers. My eyes get even greener when I hear about teens with their own reading lists. I certainly hope my teenager enjoys reading, even if it is vampire-alien romances set in a galaxy far far away.

3. Streaking. Yep, I’ve got an exhibitionist. She saves her totally nude runs for home, but it’s just a matter of time before she takes the show on the road. It’s funny now, but no butt naked jogs on your 16th birthday.

4. Kissing every person she meets. My daughter has never met a stranger. Just about everyone gets a kiss. As she gets older, I’ll teach her not to give her affection so freely. Those kisses are precious baby girl, make them earn it.

5. Dancing for dollars. I’m almost a decade older than my youngest sister. I have vivid memories of people giving my sister money just for saying funny, sometimes highly inappropriate things. we know money At the time, I thought the whole transaction was weird. Over the years, I’ve found that it’s pretty common for people to shower kids with cash for making them laugh or just because they are kids. It’s my daughter’s awesome dance skills that have her raking in the dough. She has a mean funky chickin’ that is always good for a laugh and a couple of bucks. We’ll keep loading the piggy bank but this is not how we are paying for college.

6. Obsession with shoes. Since she could crawl, my daughter’s favorite spot in the house has been the shoe rack in my closet. She often brings me shoes to put on her. Sometimes they are her shoes. Sometimes they are mine. Sometimes they are dad’s. I get that a lot of women love shoes, but I just can’t get too excited about something you stick your feet in and drag across the floor. Hopefully my teenager doesn’t expect pricey footwear. Boy, will she be disappointed.

7. Slamming doors. My toddler likes to slam doors. She’s not strong enough to make a big bang, but if she runs with it she can get a strong thump. I like to see those muscles flexing and the look of determination on her face. Slamming doors–cute now, probably irritating when she hits the teen years.

Do you think about the teenage years? Are you parenting a teen right now? What interesting things are your kids up to?

Written by Nicole Robinson.

Nicole is a working mom, freelance writer, blogger and whole-milk enthusiast (the lady loves her milk). Nicole formally blogged at BookWormMama.com.

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15 Comments

  1. Susan Tordella says

    August 6, 2012 at 8:04 am

    Nicole-
    it’s funny how everyone dreads the teen years when our kids spread their wings and start to fly without us. Teens are interesting, challenging and fun.

    The habits you write about are harmless compared to the real trouble everyone knows they can get into. That’s the big worry about teens — they can make fatal and disastrous decisions.

    My suggestion — after raising four teens successfully and losing only three cars to them — spend the first 12 years building a strong relationship based on mutual respect. Teach them cause and effect of their choices. Allow them to make as many choices as possible and feel the pain and gain from them.

    DON’T fret about the little stuff like streaking, hair color, condition of their room and grades.

    Do pay attention to family dinner, family fun time, family meetings and yes, family chores. STAY CONNECTED at all costs.

    You will sail through the teen years, even when storms erupt and threaten to capsize your ship and enjoy some exhilarating sailing days.

    Reply
  2. Kristie says

    July 23, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    The teen years will bring on their own list of habits lol

    Reply
    • Nicole Robinson says

      July 23, 2012 at 7:16 pm

      Aww man, Kristie. You must really want to get me nervous.

      Reply
  3. Andrea says

    July 22, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    With a new baby girl, the future is all I think about. I so agree with your list and love how spunky your daughter is now

    Reply
    • Nicole Robinson says

      July 31, 2012 at 6:28 am

      Thanks Andrea. Baby girls are so precious.

      Reply
  4. Karen says

    July 21, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    I had a door slamming teen girl–solution? I took her door off the frame, and made her earn it back. Didn’t take long to cure that trick.

    Reply
    • Nicole Robinson says

      July 22, 2012 at 8:01 am

      Thanks Karen. It is so funny that you mention taking the door off. I recently had a conversation with someone who did that to a teen who liked to sneak friends in the house. Just like in your case, it fixed the issue pronto.

      Reply
  5. Katherine says

    July 21, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    My daughter is only 4 years old and I don’t think I ever want to see the teenage years! *screams in horror*

    Reply
    • Nicole Robinson says

      July 22, 2012 at 7:58 am

      I’m right there with you Katherine. Can’t they stay little and sweet forever?

      Reply
  6. Mandy says

    July 21, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    Oh, this is hilarious, Nicole! LOL! I hope you print this out and save it for her someday. She sounds utterly precious! Soak up those good times because they DO go by so fast!

    Reply
    • Nicole Robinson says

      July 31, 2012 at 6:27 am

      Thanks Mandy. Good Idea. I will save this post for her someday.

      Reply
  7. Melinda says

    July 21, 2012 at 10:26 am

    the dancing for dollars made me laugh. i watch an elderly man give some random kid a dollar at the store last night. the kid was doing a little dance and it made the guy smile. I thought it was strange, stranger that the mom accepted it but I guess it’s like tipping. we give something when service is good 🙂

    Reply
    • Nicole Robinson says

      July 21, 2012 at 11:39 am

      Thanks Melinda. I would have thought giving kids cash was strange if I hadn’t seen it so often with my little sister. Tipping for good service—I like that.

      Reply
  8. Dawn C says

    July 20, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    I dread thinking about the teenage years! I have two daughters and one son. My oldest daughter is 8 and already going through the attitude of a teenager. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nicole Robinson says

      July 21, 2012 at 11:12 am

      Thanks Dawn. You’ll get to the teen years before me. Keep a journal girlfriend and throw back some tips.

      Reply

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