There should be a National Hug a Mom of a Toddler Day! Seriously, the toddler years are among the most challenging times. It’s a potpourri of independent streaks, tantrums, crying, whining, exhaustion, frustration, etc. I have come to the conclusion that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was inspired by a toddler. They are happy and giving mommy kisses one second, and then suddenly lying on a dirty public restroom floor, kicking their feet and screaming the next, all because they wanted to pull the paper towel out of the dispenser themselves. How dare you? Now you must suffer with severe embarrassment as strangers walk in and give you “the look”.  And you can forget about ever being on time because toddlers will find a way to sabotage that whole punctuality thing you had going on before you had kids. They will want to put their coats on themselves, and it will be the most agonizing 15 minutes of your life. They will put it on upside down, inside out, miss snaps, snap their fingers accidentally, put their hood on, take their hood off, and then, just when they almost have it, will declare that they aren’t wearing a coat. Then they will focus their attention on the invisible bumps in their socks!

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