The Terrible Twos.
Let’s talk about it.
On the one hand, shame on whoever cursed children of this age with such an obnoxiously accurate broad brush nickname.
On the other hand, points were made.
Two-year-olds are hard. If you trust a wise elder in my family, you must be mindful also of the “thrashing threes” and “Fucking Fours.” The internet content streets mirror our culture’s inherited wisdom: they’re downright riddled with hilarious parents generously dunking on their own irrational toddlers.1
Our “terrible twos” and their objectively maddening behaviors get laundered into little internet hearts, just for being That Age. That’s something we all ought to reckon with, like, as a society.2 But until we do, my two-year-old does legitimately cool new things everyday too.
So in the spirit of overcorrection, I’m going to say something nice about Azad on social media every day this week. Here’s the first one:
She just moved the blue chair! It was WILD.
For a more serious take on this topic, Devorah Heitner has written an indispensable book on the broader issue of children’s exposure on, and to, the internet.
You had me at "Fucking Fours"... but seriously, it caused some pain trying to recall each age for each kid. In trying to remember how my kids were at two what I kept coming up with is that I was not much better at whatever age I was with each of them. I just figure that is when they start trying to figure shit out and where and how they fit in the scheme of it all. Almost like it dawns on them that the womb was a great environment compared to life outside of it. In my family, the teenage years were far more contentious. Some of that had to do with my role as a school leader, my wife and I being maybe too involved in our church (she still is, I've become quite agnostic about organized religion), and so on. However, it still boils down in part to understanding how much of it was me being ill-equipped to be a dad. For me, in all of these pieces you have shared, what surfaces are absolutely human expressions highlighting the beautiful awe of these two lives entrusted to Sheila and you. These amazing souls are truly blessed to have you as parents and your journey to figure it all out that you humbly share is wonderful to read. Thank you and best to each of you now and always.