Terrible Twos, Tough Love, and Torn Hearts

🎣 Quick Catch

Tough love isn’t about being mean. It’s about loving so much that you’re willing to endure short-term discomfort for long-term growth. It’s showing up, setting boundaries, and staying consistent—even when it’s hard.

The “terrible twos” are no joke. My toddler, Little Luca, is teaching me more about patience, boundaries, and resilience than I ever thought possible.

One minute, he’s all sweetness and cuddles. The next, he’s testing every limit. Yesterday, he held his two cups—one with milk, one with water—and started pouring them out on the counter. Calmly, I said, “If you keep doing that, Mama will take those cups away.” He looked me straight in the eyes... and poured the milk anyway.

I took the cups, as promised, and his reaction was a full-on tantrum: screaming, running to me, but pushing me away at the same time. And as his little world fell apart over two lost cups, I felt mine do the same.

Parenting through these moments feels like a masterclass in tough love. Set the boundary, follow through, and endure the heartache that comes with it. It’s gut-wrenching because part of me wants to comfort him and give in, but I know that doing so would only hurt him in the long run.

The guilt is real. If I hold firm, I feel cruel. If I cave, I feel like I’m failing. And when my husband questions my approach, it adds another layer of self-doubt.

Still learning. Still doubting. Still taking it one spilled milk cup at a time — and if you’re in this with me, just know you’re not alone.

xoxo

Miss Swedish Fish