A Letter To The Toddler With School Age Siblings

An open letter to my 3 year old, and all toddlers with older siblings that are in school.

I see you, sweet one.

I see your sleepy eyes open as I pull you from your bed. Taken from your warm blankets to get buckled into the car seat for the morning ride to school. You nod off in the car seat, only to be taken right back out of the car seat shortly after.

I see you sitting with mom in the auditorium for awards, surviving on 83737 snacks and YouTube kids.

I see you at the soccer game, wanting to run on the field but forced to stay out of the game. More snacks. More sideline distractions.

I see you at the class party, your brother and sister light up your world. But they are a little busy talking with their friends. I promise they’ll hold you once they are back at home.

I see you at the grocery store, mom’s buying cupcakes for a class party and you don’t understand why you cannot have one. If there is extra, I promise Sissy will bring you one back home.

I see you in the car. A lot. In the car for school drop off. In the car while you wait in the pickup line. In the car heading to cheerleading. In the car coming from soccer practice. In the car on the way to church youth group. We spend a lot of time talking through that rear view mirror. Along with listening to Baby Shark and Handclap on repeat.

I see you pick up your life in your arms to bring with you to the next spot. LOL dolls, a cozy blanket, and your favorite book. You can barely make it out the door with all that’s loaded in your arms.

I see you getting to tag a long to the school field trips. Museums, zoos, farms, and theaters. Now that’s an awesome perk to this older sibling biz.

I see you, little one, for the very stage that you were born into. It can be crazy, and busy, and loud, but I kind of think you thrive in it. You have learned to adapt to whatever situation is thrown at you. You’re the most easy going out of all the kids, partly because I think it’s your personality, and partly because I think it’s all you’ve known. This is your world, and you are living and loving it. Life is exciting and new and different. So many people to see, and hear, and talk to.

Your momma loves you more than words can say. Your momma also feels guilt sometimes over not having that quiet one on one time she had with the first. Please be patient with each other, you are both learning to navigate through this life, and she’s learning how to balance it all too. Some days will feel really great, and others can be downright hard. But no matter what the day brings, know this:

You are loved.

You are cherished.

And you are incredibly special.

Hug your momma, and go ahead and dig into that donut from the third grocery store visit this week.

You’ve earned it.