A Surprisingly Valuable Life Skill I Developed In College:Handling Drunk Roommates Was Practice for the Toddler Years

By Erika Fehrenbach Prell

Sometimes you learn valuable life skills in unexpected places; life skills that you had no idea were going to be so valuable. With Lucy being 7 and 10 years younger than her siblings, I have felt like a first time parent in many ways, well, first time parent combined with the chill “it’ll be fine” attitude of a third time parent. It’s like, I don’t know what I’m doing but figure it’ll work out. Now that we are full-on in the 2 year-old toddler phase, however, I don’t know if I forgot EVERYTHING or Lucy is just more dramatic than her brothers. Holy mood swings, Batman! We go from belly laughing to tantrum to dancing like a maniac in a matter of seconds.

It was during a particularly rollercoastery day of emotional ups and downs that I had an epiphany. This was exactly like handling my over-served, drunk roommates in college. I had no idea the important practice for a future life skill I was building back then. For your enjoyment, I recorded my observations and interactions with Lucy right before lunch and nap time. A hangry and tired toddler exhibits drunk roommate behavior even more stellarly.

Without further ado, here are 10 ways that my toddler reminds me of my drunk college roommate:

#10: I’ll do it myself but then get mad when they can’t perform the action. Do not make the mistake of helping, however, until asked for uncontrollable sobbing may occur...

#9: Says no to everything but then helps themselves to all the things. Water? No. Gets water. Snack? NO! Grabs crackers off the pantry shelf. Want me to pick you up? NOOO! Then, performs a vice-like death grip on your legs, preventing any movement…

#8: Wanders aimlessly from room to room while constantly, but incoherently, babbling their stream of consciousness…

#7: Breaks into spontaneous dancing, sometimes music playing or just the soundtrack of their mind…

#6: Suddenly is found eating something, however, their snack bowl is empty. Hmmmm...suspicious.  What are you eating and where did you find it? Response...blank stare and pause in chewing with refusal to make eye contact…

#5: Requires constant supervision to prevent injury as the need to climb on counters as well as stand on coffee tables in an uncontrollable urge…

#4: Grabs things that they aren’t supposed to have then take off running as fast as they can in the opposite direction from you with the contraband item...come back here!!!

#3: Hides contraband item, then immediately can’t recall where they put it...gone forever…sigh...

#2: At the moment you are at your wits end, they snuggle in your shoulder and whisper “love you”...

#1: Though insisting they are NOT tired, they immediately pass out cold, face down with their butt in the air the second their head comes close to a mattress…

See what I mean? Toddlers are exactly like drunk college roommates! I had no idea that I was building a valuable life skill during that time. Want one more? Upon awakening, is VERY offended and angry at the BRIGHT LIGHT hitting their sensitive eyes when the shade is opened. I get you; the wake up after a rockstar performance is rough! By the way, I may have also BEEN the drunk roommate once or twice; you’re welcome, sweet roommates, for the life lesson!

It just goes to show, DreamChaser, that every life experience is a life lesson in the making or fodder for a story to tell...or, in this case, both! Shine on!