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12 Important Life Lessons Toddlers Teach Us

Ryan Davis | Fatherhood, Love, Motherhood

Little boy smiling and raising his hands with a blue sky in the background.

Although rewarding, parenting often pushes me to my limits. I am not patient by nature and that makes for some frustrating moments raising 2 toddlers. Each day is an opportunity to practice composure. I’ve noticed lately, though, that my toddlers teach me a lot about behavior.  Each of them effortlessly models traits of success that I could benefit from, were I to follow their lead. 

Attempting to model some of my toddlers’ highly successful habits has helped me to appreciate them more.  And as a result, I’m much more patient with them.  I’ve also dropped a few bad habits and picked up a few good ones.  The next time you’re looking for self improvement tips, try a few of these from your kids.

1. Be 100% Honest.

Little boy looking into the distance against a solid blue background.

Don’t rid yourself entirely of a filter.  (Telling your wife her hair looks crazy every morning is not a smart choice.)  But try telling the truth more to those you love.  In today’s world, honesty feels risky.  Telling someone what you really think makes you vulnerable.  But it can also lead to closer relationships and stronger friendships.  Being honest is also a good chance to learn something new.  Getting pushback from someone you’re honest with is an opportunity to question your opinions and empathize with others.

2. Forgive Easily.

Little girl hugging her father in a field with mountains in the background.

Nothing amazes me more than to feel my kids forgive me after I’ve made a mistake.  No one can smile and move on from a perceived injustice like a 3 year old.  Toddlers teach us that most times, offenders don’t mean to give offense.  And on the off-chance that you were purposefully slighted, moving on instead of dwelling on the offense will make for a lot happier life.  Follow your toddler’s example.  Be unoffendable.

3. Notice Life’s Details.

Toddlers teach to notice life's details and this little girl peers into a magnifying glass to look at the picture she is drawing.

Do the weeds in the sidewalk cement cracks fascinate you while you’re out for a jog?  Do you know what color your dishes are?  Have you ever counted the chocolate chips in your oatmeal?  If not, give it a try.  Toddlers teach that seemingly insignificant details add richness to life.  Paying attention to the minutiae in life will increase your gratitude and can add a sense of adventure to an otherwise boring day.

4. Don’t Let Life Cheat You.

Toddlers teach to ask for what you want and this little girl cries as she looks into the camera, upset at not getting what she wants.

No one I know has a better concept of justice than my 3 year old son.  He’ll remember a promise and won’t let me forget it until he believes it’s fulfilled.  If something’s not right in your world, try changing that.  Pick up the litter along your morning jogging route.  Ask the waiter if he’ll heat your plate of food up.  Insist on the right amount of change.  My toddlers get far by asking and acting, and I’ve learned that I can too.  

5. Try Negotiating.

Little girl with her hands cupped around her mouth as she shouts.

It can’t hurt to ask, right?  And sometimes, if you ask over and over again, you might just get your way.  The worst someone can say is, “No.”  But if you’re as persistent as a toddler, you might just get a few more yeses.  Learn to negotiate to get more of what you want.

6. Ignore Bad Behavior.

Toddlers teach to ignore bad behavior, and this little girl covers her eyes with her hands.

Is someone driving you crazy?  Try ignoring them for a little while and give yourself a break.  I learned this trick from my daughter.  If she doesn’t like what I’m asking her to do, she’ll turn around, walk away, and pretend she never heard me. 

7. Skip the T.V.

Three children play together with one boy looking at leaves on the ground and a little boy and little girl drawing together on a whiteboard easel.

I often wish my kids could sit through a full feature-length film or an entire TV show while I caught up on a few things around the house.  But they’re simply incapable of doing so.  Singing, jumping on the couch, exploring outside, and begging for their next meal are just too much fun.  Try mimicking your toddlers and finding something else to do instead of watching TV.  Toddlers teach you that you can miss out on a lot of life if you don’t limit your screen time.  Next time you find yourself starting a show, try painting a wall, taking a hike, baking something new, or picking up a book instead.  Even jumping on the couch with your kids can be a good replacement for the TV. 

8. Set a Routine and Try to Stick With It.

Toddlers teach the importance of routine, and this little boy smiles at the camera while he holds a clock.

Routine is everything to a toddler.  Waking up at the same time, eating the same thing for breakfast, napping with the same blanket, and listening to the same song over and over again may not be the wisest advice.  But toddlers teach us not to discount the power of a routine.  Having a routine helps toddlers (and adults) cope with life’s difficulties.  We can plan for extraordinary events and remember that a wrinkle in our plans for the day is ok.  Having structure built into your day will empower you with a sense of order and stability as you meet life’s challenges head on.

9. Take Risks.

Toddlers teach to take risks and this little boy climbs a rope ladder at a playground.

We hold ourselves back when we’re unwilling to take any risks.  Granted, toddlers aren’t always wise in the risks they take.  But each risk equips us with an ability we didn’t have before.  Don’t be afraid of risk, when taken wisely.

10. Mimic the Masters.

A little girl empties water from a green bucket into a watering pot.

Toddlers teach that there’s no better way to learn something new than by modeling someone else’s behavior.  Have you ever noticed how your kids mimic everything you do?  Try following suit sometime.  Think about some of the traits you admire in others and then copy what they do.  If you’re persistent enough, you can change your behavior through imitation.

11. Remember, Repetition Matters.

A little boy sucking a binkie looks into the camera with his foot on a soccer ball as the sun sets in the background.

Repeat whatever you’re doing until it’s perfect.  My 3 year old will sing the same line of a song over and over again until he thinks he has it right.  If you insist on perfection through repetition, you’ll get better at whatever it is you’re trying to do.

12. Be Patient.

A little girl lays on the floor looking at the ceiling with her arms outstretched.

I know, toddlers aren’t exactly known for their patient attitudes.  But they put up with a lot.  No one accepts imperfections in others like a toddler.  They’ll take you as you are and work with what they’ve got.  My kids are always a reminder to me to be accepting of others and to forgive easily.  And this goes for being patient for yourself too.  While toddlers aim for perfection in learning to walk and talk, they don’t reach it.  But they don’t give up on themselves.  When things don’t go exactly your way in life, throwing a few tantrums is fine.  But ultimately, remember to be patient with yourself.  Things will work out.  

Set Yourself Up for Success.

Two little boys dressed in white onesies play together, one with his arm outstretched and looking up and the other smiling and holding the arm of the boy next to him.

There’s a story in the New Testament where Jesus’ followers bring their little children to Him for a blessing.  Perhaps pressed for time, or perhaps thinking of seemingly more important matters, Jesus’ disciples apparently attempt to send the kids away.  But Jesus insists on spending time with the children.  “Forbid them not,” He says.  “For of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  That’s quite the endorsement of toddlers.  

For all their faults, toddlers have a lot to teach.  Try incorporating a few of their more positive behaviors into your life and set yourself up for success. 

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12 Important Life Lessons Toddlers Teach Us

March 20, 2021

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About The Authors

We are Ryan and Lizzy Davis, a husband and wife team with a shared passion in all things home and family. Our backgrounds in both family law and family life education have given us an enthusiastic desire to learn and share everything we can about creating a happy family and home. Our goal is to help you intentionally create the home life that you've always imagined, so you can get out and live the life you've always dreamed.
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