Surviving the Terrible Twos

by Mary Hill
Published September 5, 2005

One of the few times the Bible mentions toddlers is when Mary and Joseph traveled to Egypt with baby Jesus to save His life. King Herod had ordered his men to slay all children under the age of two. Mary and Joseph waited until the death of the king to return to Israel from Egypt.

Although the Bible does not give an exact age, scripture describes Jesus as a young child when they made their journey home. What if he were a toddler? Could you imagine that trip?

Jesus was the perfect toddler. He would not have cried in frustration to get out of his seat, "Want down." You would not have had to occupy his time with "color, colors." And if you gave him a pen because he had broken all his crayons in half or ate them, he would not sit next to you and color your arm with blue, zigzag designs.

I doubt you'd have to stop every thirty seconds to draw a whale or turtle, my toddler's favorite animals thanks to the movie, “Finding Nemo”.

She must watch that movie from start to finish every single day.

Jesus lived in a very different world. Television and movies did not exist, and children probably used sticks to draw pictures in the sand.

The Bible speaks very little about Jesus' childhood. The Bible is also quiet on other famous Biblical heroes' early years. We glimpse Moses being placed in the reed basket his sister put in the Nile River. The Bible says he was three months old at the time.

Lucky for Moses' mother and sister he was not a toddler similar to my Katie Rose. My Katie Rose would have fought going in the basket. Staying quiet during the trip down the river would have been impossible for her. It takes more than an hour to get her to take afternoon naps.

While she naps, I read my Bible and pray. How do we find parenting tips for today's children in the Bible? Dig as if looking for nuggets of gold. Be forewarned, however, you won’t find specifics for dealing with toddler's tantrums. Nor will you find scriptures about potty training. As a mother, I desire to raise a child who will find salvation and love the Lord all her life. How do I see past the terrible twos and be the kind of mother who will ignite a hunger for God in my child?

One of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 is patience. You know the clich “Never pray for patience because God will allow things to happen in your life that will teach you patience.” I have a new twist. “Never pray for patience because God will give you a toddler.” On second thought, a toddler is one of God's greatest gifts. So pray for patience.

Jesus told us how we should approach a child. "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." (Mark 10: 14©15)

What is a key scripture for parents? Proverbs 22:6 reads: "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

I strive to discover my toddler's unique personality traits to build on her strengths. Katie Rose is impatient, but loving and kind. From the scriptures, I’ve found I need to focus on my little one's innocence. At the age of two, she won’t listen to rules or lectures. I show her by example how I want her to behave.

Instead of worrying about discipline, I fill her day with adventures. I build on her wonderment at the world around her and declare to her: "Look what God made. Birds, kittens, puppies, and yes, Nemo.”

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