In today’s world, our cultures are so mixed that it is typical to meet people who speak various languages and come from all walks of life. Out in the world, this is rather common. However most people wouldn’t think that by having children they would experience this within their own home.

Yet there is a nation of people who are known to infiltrate many households especially if there is a sippy cup present or Dora the Explorer is on the tube. They speak a little English and more of their own language, they are somewhat moody yet very cute and they are determined. Oh yeah, they are  determined. They know how to get whatever they want and they will. stop. at. nothing. to. get. it.

This collective body of people are known as toddlers. Yep, those cute, little, runny nosed, on-the-go short stacks are a whole other breed of human beings. They are opinionated, funny, mischievous and sweet. They truly are a paradox of personality. To some people, they are absolutely a frightening brood of individuals while others think they are highly entertaining despite the destruction of furniture and the disgusting habits they tend to have.

Peanut and Jelly Bean are citizens of Toddler Nation. They speak their own language with bits of English thrown in so that I can understand them. (Usually only when they are in need of something.) They talk back with shrieks of  “No!” when I request they pick up their toys or come over to me. I hear plenty of “I want to do it MYSELF!” and “No, mommy, I DO IT!” Yet, in a moment they are hanging on me and whimpering, “Mommy, help me…”

Often, they are scrambling around jibber-jabbering in some language that I do not completely understand. Like, what does “shanka, shanka, shanka sissy” mean? Did you know that a vacuum cleaner in toddler-speak is called a “Wampanger” around here? Or if a word contains more than 2 syllables, some toddlers are known to throw in an additional 2 or 3 syllables more?

There are also the stories that little ones will throw at you using the English words that they do know or the conversations between twins with their limited yet growing vocabulary. For instance, I knew that Jelly Bean was climbing out of her crib one afternoon because I could hear Peanut saying, “Sissy, no. Hurt you, sissy! You get big boo boos! Sissy!”  And Jelly Bean replied, “I no boo boos, sissy. I get band aid.” Or when they completely out the other one like when Jelly Bean ran up to me saying, “Sissy up high.” “Did sissy climb in her crib, Jelly Bean?” “No, sissy on toy box.” Yep, Peanut had climbed up on the toy box and was now stuck and unable to come down.

Toddlers are unionized. I firmly believe we could get a group of toddlers together and interrogate any criminal into hysterics. One toddler can prove to be quite a handful. More than one toddler becomes all out war between what is proper and clean and what is dirty, messy and oh so fun. Toddlers feed off of each other. One angelic little being can easily be transformed into a little hellion in a moment once they are introduced to a new concept by one of their toddling counterparts. Add twins to the equation and you have an evil force that will leave parents ready to bang their head against the wall in frustration while the little punks run off snickering. They are smart and they are fierce.

Now, before you think that Toddler Nation is not a place you want to visit anytime soon, hold up. There are more pluses than minuses despite the hard work that goes into integrating these little ones into our society. Like, toddlers love to learn new things because learning is really fun at this age. They are usually experiencing things for the first time, so as parents we get to realize the joy of going to a petting zoo or seeing a choo choo train. Todders are inventive…Peanut and Jelly Bean have made several toys into musical instruments. Like a plastic chalk board positioned just so can be “strummed” liked a guitar or a book slid in front of the face looks like a “harmonica”. And don’t forget those foam chairs – turn them on their side and they become the best drums when jamming to music.

So, we live amongst others that are quite different than us, but that is okay. They don’t know any better, but too soon enough they will. And even though this age is very challenging and I have often been told to enjoy it because once it ends, I will miss it. I know that is true because I have missed every stage so far.

I realized something recently that I am constantly learning what it means to be a mom. With every birthday the girls have, the word parent becomes redefined. I think that I will always be a new parent because I may be comfortable with taking care of a two year old at this point, but I have no idea how to raise a five year old or a ten year old yet.

But one day I will and to think about this, makes me realize oh how much I want to enjoy my little toddlers and the world they live in.