The New Toddler's Creed

You may rememeber this post from about a year ago:

theparkertwins.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

While many things have stayed the same, many things have also changed since then. 

Every so often, I catch Ella and Aidan really sharing and truly playing together as a team. It is rare, especially when I am not in the middle and coaching them on the art of taking turns.  I am so proud to see that my efforts are not totally wasted, and that some of it is actually soaking in to those sweet little brains!

Even when real sharing and turn taking does occur, it never lasts for long.  I stumbled across a new version of the same sort of "Toddler Creed" poem the other day, and literally laughed out loud to myself about just how accurate it is to the daily life of toddlers - especially two at the same time, at the same age!

If it is on, I must turn it off.


If it is off, I must turn it on.


If it is folded, I must unfold it.


If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled.


If it is a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.


If it is high, it must be reached.


If it is shelved, it must be unshelved.


If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed.


If it has leaves, they must be picked.


If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.


If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.


If it is in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.


If it is closed, it must be opened.


If it does not open, it must be screamed at.


If it has drawers, they must be rifled.


If it is a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, monitor, or table.


If it is full, it will be more interesting when emptied.


If it is empty, it will be more interesting when full.


If it is a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.


If it is stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by us instead.


If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.


If Mommy's hands are full, we must be carried.


If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry us, we must walk alone.

If it is paper, it must be torn.


If it has buttons, they must be pressed.


If the volume is low, it must go higher.


If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.


If it is a drawer, it must be pulled open.

If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.


If it is a phone, I must talk to it.


If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.


If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.

If it is not food, it must be tasted.


If it is food, it must not be tasted.


If it is dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk, or toilet water.


If it is a carseat, it must be protested with an arched back.

If Mommy's carrying one of us, plus groceries, plus car keys, plus holding the other one's hand in a busy parking lot, her cell phone will ring every time!

If Mommy wants us to nap in the car, we won't.

If Mommy doesn't want us to nap in the car, we will!

If we are running late... at least one of us will POOP!