Toddler struggles

   You often hear about the struggles with newborns. Sleepless nights, feedings every few hours, the sleep regression and the spit up. Plus, colic is farthest from fun. However, toddler years are much more difficult than the baby phase.
   With toddlers, one finds themselves trying to figure out the tantrums. My 2yo will fuss because the wagon is empty even though she was the one who emptied it. My 3yo will, at times, get irritable because her hair isn't curly when she first wakes up because she loves her curls.  Yesterday, my 2yo was irritated because she couldn't play in the dryer. Toddler tantrums can often be a nightmare, especially in public.
  Imagine this, you're in the store and your toddler has a meltdown in the middle of the grocery store because she can't eat the tomatoes you just grabbed. You are now dealing with a screaming toddler while you're trying to get groceries and everyone is glaring at you. You are now the one people are whispering about and complaining about because you can't control your toddler. If you spank them then you're seen as abusive, if you don't discipline them then you're careless and inconsiderate. This is part of what makes motherhood difficult at toddler stage.
  There's the "no" phase. Railee (2yo) will be told no and she will then tell you "no" and "bad" for getting onto her. She will get on to whomever just got on to her, her sisters or brother. My husband and I are in the process of teaching Ryker (9 months) no. We will tell him "No, we don't touch that" and redirect him.  Our 2yo will come to us and tell us "no bad." She will do almost the exact opposite of what she's told.
  As toddlers, they start to talk back, tell you no, scream at you, have emotional meltdowns for (mostly) no reason, get into everything much easier and break more than ever. During the toddler years, you question your parenting abilities, mental strength, emotional strength and how often you really do need a break.
  So far I have only raised toddler girls so I have dealt with the meltdowns, changing clothes 10000000000 times a day, meltdowns over clothes, talk back, etc. However, toddler phase might be mentally, emotionally and physically draining but it's these years they are learning who they are and where they fit. Leah might be our anxious child but she has the biggest heart. She might change 1000000000 times a day but she also helps Railee and Ryker to the best of her abilities. Railee might be our strong willed, strong minded back talker but when she has her mind set, she will stop at nothing to accomplish what she wants. She might be fire in a tutu and a bow but she refuses to give up on herself or her siblings. They might be difficult many days but to watch them grow is the greatest gift. I might be pulling my hair out or having my fair share of mental breakdowns in the process though.