In a poignant post that’s going viral across social media, an unknown author is making parents pause by putting things in a toddler’s perspective. The meaningful piece was written as if it’s an entry in the diary of a 2-year-old and starts off at the beginning of his day. “Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told ‘No, we don’t have time, let me do it.’ This made me sad,” the diary says. “I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told ‘No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.’ This made me feel frustrated.” JBryson/iStock.com More from CafeMom: This Mom’s Viral ‘Toddler Takeout’ Hack Completely Tricked Her Picky Eater Next, the toddler simply tried to get in the car by himself but was told, “No, we need to get going, we don’t have time. Let me do it.” That made him cry, but he still tried to get out of the car by himself when they arrived at daycare. However, again he was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it,” and made to feel like he wanted to run away. Later, he tried to play with the blocks but other kids said no and wanted to do their way. That ruined blocks for him, so instead, he tried to play with a doll that someone else had. “I took it, I was told ’no, don’t do that, you have to share.’ I’m not sure what I did, but it made me sad,” the diary entry says. “So I cried. I wanted a hug but was told ’no, you’re fine, go play.’” Then “pick-up time” comes, but this little guy isn’t exactly sure what the adults want him to do. “I am waiting for someone to show me … ‘What are you doing, why are you just standing there, pick up your toys … Now,’” he wrote. “I was not allowed to dress myself or move my own body to get to where I needed to go, but now I am being asked to pick things up.” M-image/iStock.com More from CafeMom: 7 Strangers Just Showed the World What to Do When Another Mom’s Kid Has a Public Meltdown Feeling overwhelmed about where to start, where things go, and just what to do, this 2-year-old can’t help but start crying. “When it was time to eat I wanted to get my own food but was told ’no, you’re too little, let me do it.’ This made me feel small,” the diary says. “I tried to eat the food in front of me but I did not put it there and someone keeps saying ‘here, try this, eat this…’ and putting things in my face. I didn’t want to eat anymore. This made me want to throw things and cry.” At this point, the little one is feeling tired, hungry, scared, frustrated, and sad — yet the adults don’t realize it or understand why: So the next time you get frustrated with your toddlers’ tears or confused about why they’re melting down, please remember this anonymous author and his or her words: You aren’t the only one having a hard day. However, I am expected to know how to share, ’listen’ or ‘wait a minute.’ I am expected to know what to say and how to act or handle my emotions. I am expected to sit still or know that if I throw something it might break …. But, I do NOT know these things. I am not allowed to practice my skills of walking, pushing, pulling, zipping, buttoning, pouring, serving, climbing, running, throwing or doing things that I know I can do. Things that interest me and make me curious, these are the things I am NOT allowed to do. I am 2. I am not terrible … I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug."
