Running of the Toddlers
Caution: Nightly Event in Progress
Running of the toddler
Traveling has always been something I would like to do. There are many places and sites in the world that I want to see. I try to instill this sense of adventure in my son by letting him experience new things and new ideas. Sometimes I think having a toddler is an adventure in itself and I don’t have to look very far to find famous sites in my life.
Running of the Bulls is an annual 7 day event in Pampola, Spain. During the event, in the old part of the city, they close off sections of the street. It is on those closed streets a dozen bulls will be let loose. Being chased by the bulls is the goal of many who gather in the street for the event. The Running of the Bulls is very dangerous.
Running of the Toddlers
As much I would like to go to Spain someday, I can find danger in my home. In my house, we have a nightly event called bedtime. I always thought (I seriously need to stop thinking) that bedtime would be simple. Bedtime always begins with my son telling us, “I not tired!” I know once he says those words the running of the toddler is about to begin.
The running of the toddler is a wonderful nightly event filled with mystery and laughter. As soon as my son knows bedtime is coming he takes off running through the house. I am sure at the speed he is running he is working on breaking the sound barrier. If we have a guest over we always tell them about the running of the toddler. We make sure if the run begins to show our guest safety zones for escape. We have even considered making guests sign a contract about liability to make sure we aren’t responsible for damages they may incur.
Amazingly this event always ends with my son collapsing (usually on the sofa) and asking for milk, story and then bed. A toddler’s bedtime is never easy. I do know that toddlers often give signs that bedtime is approaching.
Toddler Bedtime
1. Risky Running Toddlers – Your toddler starts an erratic behavior of risky running through your house. They have no set pattern in their run and will often run head first into a wall.
2. Time slows down – You begin to become unsure about the real-time. Time will come to almost a complete stand still before your toddlers actual bedtime. You will find yourself checking the clock every few seconds.
3. Laughing – Your toddler will develop an uncontrollable laugh. This laugh, at times, will sound maniacal or mischievous. They have even been known to run into the wall (see #1) and start laughing. The laughter will only end after they run into a wall again (pattern will continue repeating.)
4. Random words – Toddlers talk a lot during the normal course of a day. When it is getting close to their bedtime their ability to talk increases. They will say random words without rhyme or reason, e.g. My son was running through the house non-stop. He slowed down and ran up to me and yelled, “Dada…Dada?” I am watching him with suspicion, “Yes…Xan?” My three-year old son smiles and says, “Rainbows!” and takes off running again.
5. Toy toss – Toys will begin to randomly appear in the rooms. It doesn’t matter if you picked up every toy in the house and have hidden them. The hidden toys have been known to fly through a room and land near a person. (NOTE : It is at this time I find it most helpful to wear a helmet.)
It took many years to have our son. He is our blessing. It is usually during the nightly event I am glad that we only have one son. I honestly don’t know if my heart could take two running of the toddlers!
How is bedtime in your house? Is it one long adventure like it is mine? What is your secret to a great bedtime? Be sure to tell me in the comments below!
Be sure to check out Andi-Roo at TheWorld4Realz who is writing about a month of controversy in the A to Z +1 August blogging challenge with me! Today is the letter “R” for Running of the Toddler.
Tags: bedtime, dangerous event, laughter, spain
Brings back old memories Aaron!
Yes indeed, toddlers will do all the things you don’t want them to do, but that’s what makes them so special – isn’t it?
I remember the time when my kids were young and had to be put to bed. It took me sometime to get them trained to sleep together, before which it was surely an ordeal for me. I would start feeling sleepy much before them and wanted to hit the bed, but there was no respite for me.
But with time, once the elder one’s bedtime was set, the younger was trained to follow suite, and that was sure a relief for me! Of course, now that they both are into their teens – they have the same habits where sleeping and getting up is concerned.
Oh yes…I always do wonder how do parents who have more than one boy manage! For that matter, what about those with 2-3 sons! Daughters are better that ways I think, but I think you wouldn’t have it any other way than you are having now.
Such are the joys of parenting and each one of us experiences our own share of ups and downs, yet we love it
Thanks for sharing more about yourself and your son with us.
Harleena,
The funny part is (and i didn’t mention this) before Xander was born they thought he was triplets! It wasn’t until 12 weeks that we knew better. I can tell you very honestly I was excited but at the same time they were the longest 12 weeks of my life. All I could think about was how were we going to handle 3 of them at one time…..nothing else….
Sadly, there are time, I wonder that even more now! I love him and I wouldn’t have any other way. I just want half the energy he has. He zips by at near the speed of light and you can’t understand anything he says (and all I can do is shake my head and laugh)
I share because fatherhood is blessed thing and the more people know about how much fun it actually is the better off they are! They can see I am able to make fun of it, be serious about it and most importantly I survive!
Aaron
Maybe you should book the ticket to Pamplona now Aaron, it certainly sounds safer.
David,
I have considered it my friend…i have considered it….I will take a dozen bull vs. one toddler any day! It would be easier…..sigh
Aaron
I did laugh when I read this post! Having bought up 5 children with no help except at weekends, I know a lot about bedtimes. You sound like you have the patience of Job. I was on my knees with exhaustion by the end of the day and only several large gins could give me the energy to do the next round of feeds, baths, stories, homework, violin practice, meals, and dealing with the inevitable sibling squabbles and toddler tantrums. Looking back I really do not know how I did it! – oh and then of course it was tidying up the sitting room – my goodness, a little bit of lego goes a long long way! and then just as I was about to collapse into a chair, some little darling would call me from the top of the stairs…….needing the potty, or a hug because they’d had a nightmare, or had I rememberd that the tooth fairy was going to be coming?
Lottie,
There are someday’s I swear my son is 10 children not just 1. I love him to death but he like Flash Gordon, Superman, Batman and every other superhero rolled into one. He makes me dizzy and my head spin at times. I have to have patience!
He gets to plays with his cousin Olivia a lot who is the exact same age as him and when they get together it spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E. They like to play a little game that I call tag-team the parents. One of them diverts our attention while the other one is getting into mischief. Once we catch on and go after the mischief maker the tag off happens and the fun begins and we start all over. It is never for the adults!
I personally think they are just looking towards finding us a nursing home …….
Aaron
This was a cute post. I can picture him running amok and making a grand event of bedtime. Sweet, mischievous boy. I bet you’re about ready for bed, too, when you finally get him settled down.
I love my son Amberr but there are some nights that his bedtime cannot come soon enough. I take great pride in knowing the father’s curse is going to get him good. I have made sure of that
Aaron
Oh boy do I remember bedtimes when my girls were toddlers! I love your added humor to this post. I always enjoy a good blog post that makes you smile and laugh! My bedtime tip – low stimulation activities like puzzles and stories. We do this and turn the television and all electronic gadgets off so that their little bodies can just unwind. Enjoy these years, they go by too fast!
Heidi,
I am glad you enjoyed it! I often alternate between humor and serious in my posts. Life is far to serious as it is. I try to as often as possible add or place some humor in most of my posts(not all). In fact, I am working on one that’s a little more serious right now but immediately following that is one I can’t wait to publish because of its humor.
When Xander stops the running games he generally wants a story. He will sit in my lap and be real quiet and still while I read in random voices that he loves. I so agree television and electronics have been off the moment the “running of the toddlers” began.
I try to cherish every moment with my son. He is a gift and our job is to take care of him until we have to let him go. So, I don’t take it for granted that he will always be here. I want him to grow up in a loving environment that someday he will want to come home and visit. Thank you so much for sharing and caring.
Aaron
Thank you so much!
Being an older dad and having such a difficult time just having one child, I like to think we are all lucky to have each other. I enjoy writing about the humor and the serious side of fatherhood. Trying to remind everyone that fatherhood is a gift and it shouldn’t ever be taken for granted.
Aaron