The Decibel Dilemma of Toddlerhood

Toddlers have one volume setting—LOUD. It doesn’t matter if it’s a mid-tantrum wail, a burst of excitement during their favorite show, or a random shout for reasons only they understand—when it happens, it’s enough to leave me overstimulated, startled, and with a pounding headache.

And here’s the kicker: my toddler will be loud as can be, yet the moment he hears another loud sound, he covers his ears and says, “Too loud, Mama!” Meanwhile, I’m thinking… so you don’t hear yourself? 😂

But as much as the noise drives me a little crazy, I can’t help but love it. Every outburst is just another sign of his growth—his learning, his likes and dislikes, his expressiveness (even when startling). He’s becoming his own person, and watching that unfold is the sweetest kind of loud there is.