Last week I wrote about Annie’s frustrating misuse of the word “help,” and you all gave me lots of incredible advice… thank you! Unfortunately, even once Annie overcomes her “help” issue she will still be able to drive me nuts because somewhere along the line she picked up what I call “The Toddlers’ Greatest Hits” – words and phrases that toddlers everywhere use to bug their parents.
Seriously, was a little toddler handbook passed out at the park? How did they all learn these?
Here are some of Annie’s favorites:
“More?”
…said the second she polishes off WAY more food than anyone her size should be able to finish in the first place.
“Where’s Dada?”
…recited like clockwork the moment I take a seat in the bathroom.
“That’s mine!!”
…whined when I take away a dirty napkin that she found on the street.
“What happened?!”
…said with total confusion after the balloon she was poking with a stick popped.
“Again?”
…shouted immediately when I put her down after spinning her in the air for ten minutes straight.
“Watch me!”
…ordered of her old man over and over and over as she stacks her blocks.
“Wanna play?!”
…cooed with big eyes and an adorable smile the minute I sit down to watch the Giants’ game.
“This one!!!”
…hollered when I open the ‘fridge door and she spots the piece of pie I hid for myself to eat later.
Are any of these a favorite of your toddler? Or has Annie forgotten a Greatest Hit your toddler bugs you with?
Jay- The Dude of the House says:
A local favorite, when I go to hang out with the Little Dude after his nap or being gone all day, is “See Mama Again!” It’s always nice to feel wanted.
Annalisa says:
Our favorite (not!) right now is:
“No! No! NO!” plus a head shake, whenever we try and give our toddler anything new to try.
But that’s not the end of that! That same food that is allegedly poisonous when you offer her a bite? If you walk away from her and go hide behind the kitchen counter (you better believe it I’ve done more than once) so that she can’t see you, you discover that she’s actually willing to try it. She might even start to enjoy it. Until she can tell someone is looking at her. Then we no longer want it. *sigh*
Sarah @ { rad: renovations are dirty } says:
I’m currently reading “French Kids Eat Everything” and it’s really interesting! Might be worth a read.
Annalisa says:
Betcha they don’t.
I wasn’t raised in the US, and I was the pickiest of all picky eaters. I probably would still be, if I hadn’t moved halfway across the globe.
Joy says:
I’m currently in France, as an au pair, trust me, french kids are no better or worse than American kids when it comes to trying new foods and eating what they’re given.
Brianna Storch says:
“What’s that sound?”
…after every little cricket chirp and leaf rustling in a 0.5mph breeze.
“No! Bad Mommy.”
…scolded after HE does something he KNOWS is wrong, and I reprimand him.
“I miss you.”
…makes every moment worth it allllll over again.
karen says:
How about “Why?”, repeated billions of times everyday with varying amounts of whinning.
Or, “Actually….”. This one is most frustrating as you are told something and both my kids did it at a young age and the 8 yr old does it still.
Suzanne says:
“But I said please.” Sometimes, it’s really hard to explain this . .
Natalie S says:
Hahaha I could have written this. We hear all those things too. Another favorite is “what you say?” and “I do it!”
Jane says:
My eldest at age three was pretty self-sufficient when her sister was born–except when it came to the bathroom. And like clockwork, the second I sat to nurse she ran the the potty and started calling me. When I complained about this someone said, “You realize that’s by design don’t you?” Suddenly it all became clear.
Sonita says:
“I do it!” stated when it was something she clearly could NOT do by herself and especially when we were in a hurry!
Kristin says:
My daughter used to say that, only it was “I do it! All by myself” she had to do everything all by herself and always when it was when we were in a rush.
Julie says:
“My turn” stated whenever she sees me doing a grown up task that she is convinced she should be doing instead. It happens about every 5 seconds.
Rose says:
My little one keeps saying, “Mommy, scary!” when something is new or a little frightening for him. But it sounds more like, “Mommy scary!” which is great when we are out in public.
Jess says:
“Just for a little bit, please?”
Mine says this so sweetly every night after asking me to lie in her bed with her while she falls asleep. How can I say no?
Scc6a says:
I did the same thing when I was little! My mom still talks about me tiptoeing into my parents’ room in the middle of the night and saying, “Mommy, can I sleep with you for a little while?” Then she would sneak me in on her side so my dad wouldn’t see, haha.
lil says:
“I don’t think so” is a favorite of my almost 3 year old. Usually said with a head shake, sometimes with a whole body shake.
Me: Do you want try this fruit/veggie?
Her: I don’t think so.
Me: It is time for your bath!
Her: I don’t think so.
Me: Do you need to go potty?
Her: I don’t think so.
Me: Eat your cheese first, then you can have a cookie.
Her: I don’t think so. Cookie first.
Pattie says:
LOL
Kristen @ The Chronicles of Dutch says:
Wow! She’s good!
LaurieSL says:
Maybe (hopefully) Annie doesn’t say this one yet but it’s a classic one in our house: “but…Whhhyyyy?”. Even when we answer our 3 year old’s “why” question, she asks “why” again. Sometimes it warrants another “why” but it usually does not. I usually come back and say, “I don’t know, why, Mika, why?”. Then she says, “I not knoooowww.”. Super cute, most of the time.
Jen says:
“I want it!” my son is only 18 months old. Should I be proud or annoyed? Love that kid.
Kimberly says:
It is amazing how many surprises our toddlers have for us. Everyday my son’s accomplishments and actions amaze me. Although, their energies can leave me exhausted, I am always excited to spend time with them the next day.
Ashley says:
“my do it”
“what doing?”
Jax: Momma, Momma, Momma, MOMMMMMA!??!?
Me: What, Jax?
Jax: Hi Momma
Annalisa says:
That last one sounds adorable. But I realize he probably does it 30+ times a day, which means it has lost its charm.
Sleeping Mom says:
Oh my lord, this post had me cracking up! And it’s about your husband too, not even your toddler lol! Those cookies really are like crack, and thankfully I manage to walk past them really fast at the grocery so that I don’t get too tempted.
And 13 solar panels?! Makes me kinda glad I still live in a complex.
Pattie says:
Coraline’s a big fan of “More?” which she asks before she’s even started eating — girl’s eyes are bigger than her tummy. Her current favorite is “Outside?” accompanied with her helpfully pointing at the French doors to our patio. Unfortunately for her, it’s gotten cold this week (35 at night!), so no outside time until it warms up. But that won’t stop her from asking.
Mommy Boots says:
Oh GOOODDDD. “AGAIN??!!” is a hit in our house too. Someone burps, Nellie laughs. “Again!” Someone growls, Nellie cackles. “AGAIN!” if a dog barks, she stops and stares at it and demands, “AGAIN!”
They’re like little dictators, I swear. “‘Dance, puppet, dance! For my amusement, dance!”
Me says:
“Mommy!”
Lisa says:
My 2-year old’s favorites right now are “No :insert word:” and “Hurt” if something is too hot to eat, too tight fitting, etc.
Maren says:
My 22-month old – “I wan idt!” while pointing emphatically at whatever it is he can’t have. The funniest is when he dances and stomps his feet and makes a “pshh-pshh” sound whenever I open the fridge…asking for me to put some whipped cream in his mouth from the can…oops for teaching him that trick!
Jen says:
You can always do what my husband did with food. Anything he liked and didn’t want to share was his “medicine”. Poor kids thought cool whip was medicine for years. He’s so mean.
Leslie says:
“I can’t know!!” said by my 3-year-old daughter every time she doesn’t feel like answering a question. We get the “why” a lot here too.
Mommy: “What color is this?”
L: “I can’t know!”
Mommy: “Where are your shoes?”
L: “I can’t know!”
Mommy: “How old are you?”
L: “I can’t know!”
TESS says:
My youngest isn’t a toddler any more but this may be something you can look forward to. At four years old he constantly asks “How do you spell (every word known to man)???”
Kristina F. says:
Whenever my son gets disciplined, he retorts (usually through teary eyes and at the top of his lungs) “Why’d you do that!”
It’s funny, annoying and cute all at once.
Meg L says:
so hilarious, I have a 16 month old and getting a glimpse into what I’m in for here…;) hang in there, my mom says “three” is the magic age when thing get easier…lets’ hope so!
Annalisa says:
Obviously you were an angel. I say that because I’ve dealt with 3 year olds as a preschool teacher once upon a time. I’d say 1 in
Leslie says:
You must have been a really great kid because for me with all of my children 3 has been the hardest age of all. Maybe my youngest, who is 16 months right now, will be the one that makes 3 easier for me, here’s hoping!
A says:
My best friend’s little girl who is just a bit older than Annie says “I can win!” every time she’s walking somewhere.
We were on our way somewhere I was ahead of her and she told me “look out, coming through”. She won. Because I couldn’t stop laughing.
Raegan says:
My three year old has the best timing EVER! My mother mentioned out loud that she wanted to keep some silly disposable spoons from the yogurt shop and my child thought then said “Nana, YOU are a genius”. Then, same night, she sat watching Horton Hears a Who and sighed during an action packed part and under hear breath “d@mn”. That was particularly cringeworthy. She also likes to tell me “I need you to be patient” at 47 random times throughout the day… turning my own words against me. Yep! 3 year olds are super fun and from the looks of it Annie is on her way. She’s too smart for 2!
Paula says:
Go way!
Sit down!
No, I do it!
All with great emphasis.
Isn’t it just the best thing ever??
Courtney says:
Yup, those look familar. Add in “My do it!” mentioned earlier, and also “No like it!”
Expat Mom says:
Ah, be happy with the “more?” right now . . . in another year or so it turns into, “That’s yucky!”
My kids are 5 and 6 now and the littlest one is just 2 months, so no toddler sayings around here, but I did get a “I kinda like your new food” the other day, which was a nice change from, “I don’t like ANYTHING you make, Mama!”
Trisha says:
Everytime I correct my 3 year old she says ” You hurt my feelings!!” I think I die a little inside each time.
She’s also hitting her “Me do!!” stage for everything.