Toddlerhood: Best Parts of Life With a 1-Year-Old and a 2-Year-Old

Life with a toddler means there’s never a dull moment. And if you’ve got two toddlers, buckle up because the ride can be wild. But I’m not complaining about it. I love having a one-year-old and a two-year-old. There are some great reasons to be parenting two little humans in their prime toddlerhood.

What Makes Parenting Multiple Toddlers So Special

I could go on and on about why I love being a parent to multiple toddlers close in age (18 ½ months apart, to be exact). While having babies back to back can get a bad rap at times, I’m here to shine a light on some of the brightest spots on my journey of parenting two toddlers simultaneously. Sure, some days are tough, but I’d argue that every bit of chaos is worth it for the love, joy, and pure fun my two little ones bring to each other and our home every day. Here are some of my favorite things about being a mama to multiple toddlers.

They’re Learning So Much From One Another in Toddlerhood

It’s often said that parents are our children’s first teachers. As a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom, I take great pride in this. But I sometimes question whether I’m doing enough to provide my kiddos with everything they need to learn and thrive.

Seeing my two toddlers interact with each other is an incredible gift — they learn so much from one another. My one-year-old mimics my two-year-old’s speech, actions, and every move. My two-year-old gets to practice sharing, caring, and all the soft skills we hope our children acquire. They’re constantly learning and growing together through their toddlerhood. It’s an amazing perk to parent two toddlers at once.

Every Day is a Built-in Playdate When Parenting Toddlers

I firmly believe that play is the most essential work of childhood — including in toddlerhood. Watching my first toddler play with my second is a dream come true. Sure, we all have to work through tough, tear-filled moments together. Yes, our playroom is always a bit messier than it was with only one toddler. We might be running out of space for the endless toys, books, and stuffed animals that inevitably accumulate with a one-year-old and a two-year-old. All that aside, my son and daughter always have each other to play with. And that trumps everything.

As much as I love scheduling playdates with our friends, I find peace of mind in knowing my kiddos have the constant benefit of each other’s company. They keep each other entertained more and more by the day, and I’m eager to see their play relationship evolve as they become slightly older toddlers.

Toddlers and Toddler Play Can Teach Us So Many Valuable Lessons

Just as the heart grows with each new child, the wisdom also multiplies. My one-year-old and two-year-old are constantly teaching me important life lessons during their toddlerhood. For example, to give myself grace. I have two tiny humans who are very close in age and are both entirely dependent (mostly) on me. The truth is, I feel like I’m falling short in one way or another almost every day. Albeit unknowingly, my toddlers constantly remind me to go easy on myself. I’m only human, but somehow — in their eyes — that’s enough. They also teach me to be flexible, prioritize, and adapt more than any position I’ve ever held before becoming a mom.

Toddlerhood is a Magical Time to Share With Someone Else

Even more, getting a front-row seat to my two toddlers’ bond is just as magical. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how adorable my one-year-old and two-year-old are with each other. Seeing my firstborn share in her sweet, quirky toddler ways with my son makes my heart so happy.

My daughter looks for her early-rising baby brother first thing in the morning, and his entire being lights up when he sees his big sister close in for a bear hug. When one laughs, the other echoes with just as much innocence and joy. When one climbs up on my lap for snuggles and a story, the other follows. I always say my kiddos have their own secret language, and I sometimes feel like an outsider peeking in, but I don’t mind it. I’m so glad my babies can build their bond from their earliest years. They truly delight in each other’s existence, making my heart burst with gratitude.

Who knows what the future will bring for my children regarding their sibling dynamic. For now, I’m soaking up every precious moment of being a mama to two little humans living side-by-side in the thick of toddlerhood. Having multiple babies back to back can get a bad rap for many reasons, but I’m here to tell you that parenting two toddlers close in age is not limited to all it’s made out to be. In fact, it’s so much more. Life with a one-year-old and a two-year-old is a gift.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.