One Going On Five

As we enter toddler world, it's a whole different ball game. When I had a tiny infant on my hands and everyone would say, "sleep when he sleeps," or "rest now, this is easy", I believed them. But honestly I had no idea what was in store for me. I felt I was sleeping and I was resting. Now I wish I could do it all over again, and sleep more and rest more! For those of you with a toddler or small child with you, do you remember when play dates were all about talking about how exhausted you were, and how you weren't sleeping, and how you forget to eat? This is all while you sat on blankets in the park or sat in a room with a mommy group with all of your pastel baby blankets spread out on the floor and as you all sat facing each other; the babies were laying contently on their backs cooing at you, not even realizing each other were there? And even though you may have had things that were seemingly overwhelming to discuss amongst each other, you still felt comfort in having these adults to talk to. It was a sense of comfort and relaxing to finally get dressed and leave your home for some social time.

Now... when I think "play dates," I'm exhausted even thinking of the term. My son, Elijah, is so far from laying on his back cooing at me, I think I've almost forgot that it was even possible at one point. Let me explain a play date at the park for you... As we approach the meeting place Eli is practically falling out of the stroller with excitement. This is actually rewarding because at least he enjoys where we're going! We get the blankets laid out and put the babies down. Not but 30 secs of him touching the ground and he's crawling around exploring. He'll find every one's diaper bag and attempt to go through it. You've got food and you're trying to feed your child a snack? Well he's on top of it before you can get the snack out of the baggy, he's almost begging to receive a snack too as if I don't feed him or as if I didn't bring his own snacks. After that, he becomes bored with blanket time and he's off to the grass, the sticks and the dirt. Conversations about overwhelming things? Forget it, I'm showing you proof! There is no conversations with myself involved, they are broken up sentences as I chase my 1 year old around the park. 

It's absolutely exhausting.  

I stop and think, why is he the only one acting like this? All of the other children are sitting quietly and all of the other Mom's are indulged in conversations about husbands, diaper genies, and what everyone does for dinnertime. Did I do something wrong? Do I just have a hyperactive kid? Some people tell me that he's just intelligent and that he's a thinker, and that his exploring is a good thing. As much as I agree, will it ever subside a little or is this how it's going to be? How can I stimulate him so that he feels like he's getting the most of his day. And lastly, where are the Mom's who have a child with similar temperament?

All of this has lead me to the question, would part-time daycare benefit Elijah? Give him structure, give him stimulation, socialization and direction. Yes, he's only 1... but already I find myself thinking 1 years old going on 5.