the toddler hallucination theory: Car Seats
Sometimes toddlers act crazy. Insane! They make no sense! But this is just because we aren't seeing what they are seeing.
I have a theory that toddlers hallucinate.
By the time they are old enough to tell you, they have outgrown it. So this will never be proven. But I'm pretty sure it is true.
Take car seats for example. When you see this:
They are probably actually seeing something like this:
Once you accept this hallucination theory, they will make more sense to you.
Visualizing what they might be seeing has been proven to decrease parental frustration and increase empathy.
It will also give you something to do as you stand in the parking lot while they scream.
Totally hilarious. I needed the laugh today. Thanks!
Posted by: Embracingthespectrum.blogspot.com | 08/10/2011 at 12:00 PM
Haaaahahaha that is so great!
Posted by: Tarina | 08/10/2011 at 12:05 PM
I wonder what my 14 month old was seeing about 10 minutes ago when I was changing her EXTREMELY poopy diaper. She was kicking and screaming, causing poop to get all over me and her. Hmmm....
Posted by: Lindsay | 08/10/2011 at 12:07 PM
huh? i had no idea...it explains our daily wrestling match.
Posted by: sam | 08/10/2011 at 12:07 PM
sounds about right;-)
Posted by: Elecia | 08/10/2011 at 12:08 PM
OH YES. LOL, I nearly peed my pants when I saw the carseat monster! So fricken funny, this is so true.
Posted by: Angie | 08/10/2011 at 12:12 PM
Bliss. (Though, with 4 of them 4 and under, no, it does not increase sympathy or empathy. It only makes me want to knock them unconscious out of mercy as well as frustration.)
Posted by: Melis | 08/10/2011 at 12:13 PM
So THAT is why I can't get either boy into their carseats for the first several months! LOL!! Thank you SO Much for explaining this.
Posted by: Holly | 08/10/2011 at 12:16 PM
totally funny...thanks for the laugh today
Posted by: Heather | 08/10/2011 at 12:16 PM
I think your illustrations are improving! Pretty soon you won't be able to call describe them as "crappy". ;-)
Posted by: Rachelle | 08/10/2011 at 12:16 PM
I know. Damn practice makes better. I'll have to work on maintaining the crap.
Posted by: Amber Dusick | 08/10/2011 at 12:19 PM
Too funny! We have a two year old going through this phase right now. :)
Posted by: Anna | 08/10/2011 at 12:22 PM
Oh my God! I'm spitting water all over my keyboard! So funny!
Posted by: WestiesMum | 08/10/2011 at 12:22 PM
So true.
Posted by: Lynn | 08/10/2011 at 12:22 PM
Now that theory makes sense to me!!! Totally hilarious and true! Love your stories
Posted by: Kris | 08/10/2011 at 12:22 PM
Yes, totally. Where do you think imaginary friends come from?
P.s. This is my new identity. The secret code word is "Cat-rapey"
Posted by: E.B. | 08/10/2011 at 12:23 PM
LOL totally needed a good laugh !! Thanks!
Posted by: Michelle Rathswohl | 08/10/2011 at 12:47 PM
Well, this makes total sense! Too funny. I'll be imagining all the things he "could" be seeing from now on.
-Jane
Posted by: Jane | 08/10/2011 at 12:58 PM
seriously the funniest thing ever. had to share on facebook- you so hit the nail on the head!
Posted by: Casey | 08/10/2011 at 01:07 PM
putting on my 'spoilsport annoying serious poster amidst all the funny' hat...
Not sure exactly how old the toddler in the 'toons is supposed to be, but he looks young enough that he should still be rear-facing. :)
Current recommendations are to keep all kids rear-facing until age 2, and even as much longer as the car seat's weight and height limits will allow. Turning them at 1 year is a bare legal minimum, not a requirement. Studies show kids are five times less likely to die if kept rear-facing.
Anyway, sorry to be the stick-in-the-mud but it's an important issue that many parents actually don't know about, and your cartoons are so wonderful and so popular, it's a great opportunity to pass this message along. :)
(As for the parents that always pop up and say "oh but my child hates rear-facing, I can't wait to turn him forward", just realize that they'll see this monster in the seat whichever way it's turned. ;)
Posted by: heather | 08/10/2011 at 01:12 PM
You're a genius! And freaking hilarious. :)
Posted by: Jenn @ Cooking Aweigh the Pounds | 08/10/2011 at 01:14 PM
OMG! This is the best post I've seen since I began reading/stalking your blog!!
Both of my daughters went through carseat hallucinations around 1-2 years of age. Oddly my 2-year-old son hasn't experienced "car-mares" yet. :P *fingers crossed*
I had frightful hallucinations as well ~ worried that folks in the parking-lot would call the police to report me for kidnapping or torture! LOL
I mean, how do you explain why a child is lurching and screaming at the top of her lungs, in her terror of getting into the car with you?! ;D
Posted by: Tara Fly | 08/10/2011 at 01:20 PM
Here is a good resource for anyone reading along & unaware about the age 2+ recommendation change: http://www.thecarseatlady.com/car_seats/rear-facing_seats_6.html
Posted by: Amber Dusick | 08/10/2011 at 01:23 PM
There are other people who have had 4 kids in 4 years?? Nice to see I'm not alone! And I totally agree, btw.
Posted by: Caroline | 08/10/2011 at 01:28 PM
Totally made my day after fighting with my 11-month old about his car seat, stroller and shopping cart. The only place he would go willingly was the Ergo.
Posted by: Alyssa Kendall | 08/10/2011 at 02:15 PM
Hahahahaha! Love this. The drawing of the car seat monster? Perfect.
Posted by: Alison@Mama Wants This | 08/10/2011 at 02:19 PM
LOL!!!
From the movie the Change Up, Jason Bateman...
"Having children, it's like living with little mini drug addicts. Y'know, they're laughing one minute, and then they're crying the next, and then they're trying to kill themselves in your bathroom for no good reason. They're very mean and selfish; they burn through your money..."
Posted by: cindy | 08/10/2011 at 02:21 PM
LOVE THIS!!! :) Thank you so much!!!
Posted by: jessica | 08/10/2011 at 02:42 PM
1. The devil illustration rocks my world.
2. You must be absolutely right about why the arched back screamfest happens often for the carseat.
3. I love your posts.
Posted by: Shannon | 08/10/2011 at 02:49 PM
Oh my god, thank you! After listening to my toddler scream all morning and afternoon I really needed some perspective.
Posted by: KC | 08/10/2011 at 03:01 PM
I was introduced to your blog a couple of weeks ago, and just wanted to thank you for the joy you've brought me ever since. Every post has been just SPOT-ON to my life with a 2-year-old and made me literally laugh out loud. And as the chronically ill mother of a toddler (combination = sucks!), I can use all the laughs I can get. Thanks!
Posted by: TwoWishes Tara | 08/10/2011 at 03:24 PM
I've been subscribing for a few weeks and your posts make me giggle, but this is the first one where I've been laughing long and loud enough to make my 4 yo want to know what's so funny. My 1yo twins do this every. time. Booster seats too. Thank you for a laugh this afternoon - I needed one. :)
Posted by: Heidi | 08/10/2011 at 03:35 PM
thank you again for a wonderfully hilarious post!
Posted by: melissa | 08/10/2011 at 04:05 PM
You could always try using your wrong hand to draw and maintain the crap. :)
Posted by: Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves | 08/10/2011 at 04:11 PM
Hillarious! That explains my toddler perfectly - except he's been hallucinating since about 7 months.
Posted by: Jaime | 08/10/2011 at 04:43 PM
love, love, love your blog. I read it everyday. Just a side note; car seats can get really hot in the summer. My 2 yr old refused to go in hers without her blanky until I realized it was hot. She would sit on her blanket in the car.
Posted by: mom | 08/10/2011 at 04:45 PM
wow - great job capturing the arching toddler, rigid body, not wanting to get in their seat!!! oh, my aching back! :)
Posted by: Amanda J | 08/10/2011 at 04:53 PM
I know for a fact that toddlers hallucinate. I'm 28 years old and I'm still hallucinating.
Posted by: Sarcasm Goddess | 08/10/2011 at 05:08 PM
that' funny. sometimes I hallucinate too
Posted by: Krissee | 08/10/2011 at 06:17 PM
I'm dying, that's hilarious and makes perfect sense! Now if you can just get into the toddler mind and explain why I am unable to explain to a hysterical two year old that Humpty Dumpty really is all right...30 minutes of cry...for real, I hid the book that started it all :-/
Posted by: Anna-Leigh | 08/10/2011 at 06:24 PM
I absolutely love these drawings and stories... they're SO true! I wish I couldn't draw like you! :) thanks for always cheering me up! :D
Posted by: Ruby | 08/10/2011 at 06:53 PM
seriously hilarious! I rarely lol when it comes to the internet, but this made me giggle for a good 5 minutes. I totally agree with you on your theory!
Posted by: Serena | 08/10/2011 at 06:54 PM
Is it possible I have a monster on my FACE? Because my toddler keeps whacking me and telling ME no and it can go from him and I happily laughing and playing to suddenly this change. Geez is it ever FRUSTRATING! I need to separate myself and try to find the humor otherwise I might cry (and well, yes I have!)
Posted by: valleygirl | 08/10/2011 at 07:28 PM
Poo Monster! My baby sees him too!
Posted by: Katy | 08/10/2011 at 08:32 PM
I'm envisioning the hallucinations my kids must be having about their socks and underwear! Ouch!
Thanks for the laugh, your blog totally gives me the comic relief I need after a long, long day of motherhood.
:)
Posted by: Katy | 08/10/2011 at 08:39 PM
At one point I had 4 under 4 as well! I had a 3 year old, 2 year old, 11 month old and a newborn. ALL BOYS!! They're now 10, 9, 6, 5, and I have a baby girl about to turn 3 this weekend now too. So yes, I feel your pain. :)
Posted by: M. | 08/10/2011 at 09:57 PM
I know they hate being tied down like mental patients, and hate long car rides. That's why I don't get out much. To pass the time, I browse crappy pictures on the Internet…
Posted by: Dina | 08/10/2011 at 10:23 PM
You make me laugh SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much. I love your stuff and I am sharing it with everyone I know. And THEY all love it too.
Thank you for being you and for drawing wonderful crappy pictures!
Posted by: Natt | 08/11/2011 at 12:23 AM
That is THE best thing Ive heard all week!
Posted by: Yasmin @ alittlelessfluff | 08/11/2011 at 03:02 AM
Have you noticed that toddlers and cats share the same Hallucination problem?
Posted by: NASADan | 08/11/2011 at 04:25 AM
How is that I only figured out to subscribe to the genius that is you now? I've seen you all over my facebook feed and laughed every time. This post explains so much about my crazy car hating kiddo. Thank you.
Posted by: Yuliya | 08/11/2011 at 07:55 AM
Oh my gosh! You have totally cleared this up for me. Genius!
Posted by: Wendy Irene | 08/11/2011 at 08:06 AM
This hallucination theory explains so much! Not just the car seat issues, but also the diaper changes (love that someone said Poop Monster!), not wanting to be put down, refusing to go inside/outside/in a room/out of a room, and so much more!
You are brilliant!
Posted by: caramama | 08/11/2011 at 08:43 AM
Love every blog you've done so far- makes me laugh every time.. keep it up mama!
Posted by: sarah | 08/11/2011 at 10:55 AM
This is so funny. I found your blog last week and since then I think I have read EVERYONE you have done. I LOVE this one!!! I tell everyone about your blog. It's awesome. Thanks for the laughs..
Posted by: Brittany | 08/11/2011 at 11:17 AM
I was thinking the same thing, Tara!
Posted by: Cristin Sprenger | 08/11/2011 at 08:00 PM
Awesome post! You are hilarious! Thank you so much for the laughs!
Posted by: Cristin Sprenger | 08/11/2011 at 08:03 PM
I saw the title of this on another website and thought it was a legitimate study at first. It reminded me of one day in my psychology 101 class last year. Asad, a guy from Afghanistan who is already hilarious, said this to our teacher:
"My little nephew, he's five, and he will tell a story that has a chicken in it. And then when he tells it again there's no chicken in it. And I say, 'Wait a minute, where did the chicken go?' And he says, 'There is no chicken.' Where do these lies come from?"
The teacher, without missing a beat, said, "It's called IMAGINATION, Asad."
Posted by: Mariah | 08/11/2011 at 09:08 PM
Oh, also (sorry I didn't mention before) I love the pictures. I just got married in January and have yet to discover the joys of parenting, but I found this really funny anyway :-)
Posted by: Mariah | 08/11/2011 at 09:09 PM
LOL. I couldn't imagine!!
Posted by: Carrisa | 08/12/2011 at 05:51 AM
YOU are a riot!! LOL Such insight!! ;0)
Posted by: Carrisa | 08/12/2011 at 05:55 AM
My god. This is IT. From now on I will just assume that his vegetables look like maggots too and I can stop sweating it so damn much.
Posted by: Julie | 08/12/2011 at 06:04 AM
Hilarious and so true! Thank you for clarifying this for me. We must have a carseat monster and also a changing table monster. Sometimes they are there, and sometimes they're not. And only Zoe can see them! Now I get it. :)
Posted by: LaraK | 08/12/2011 at 06:49 AM
LOL hilarious. and totally spot on!
Posted by: mummyoftwomunchkins | 08/12/2011 at 08:07 AM
OMG SOOOO TRUE! I look like such a monster trying to get my child into his carseat, its its like I'm strapping him into a torture device and making him listing to Justin Bieber as I drive.
Posted by: Vanity_Mom | 08/12/2011 at 09:21 AM
GREAT. We just had #3 and our youngest just turned 7. You are reminding me of all the stages I had so conveniently forgotten about thus convincing us that #3 was a great idea!
Posted by: Carrie | 08/12/2011 at 02:06 PM
So true! I've always wondered why the carseat was such a terrifying proposition.
Posted by: Island Mum | 08/12/2011 at 03:38 PM
Did it occur to anyone that when people smoke in the car, the poor little ones are getting sick to their stomaches and feel like vomiting? Of course they scream..they have no choice but to breathe in your poison. No wonder Asthma is on the increase.
Posted by: Marilyn Geraci | 08/12/2011 at 07:22 PM
Possibly the case! But how can they just come up with these scary things unless they are watching something far too mature for them ie video game or many tv/cartoon shows. Just a thought. I think when the back arch/screaming starts it also because they are sure there is something much more important/exciting they NEED to be doing! :)
Posted by: Brianna | 08/12/2011 at 10:07 PM
There's a reason we stopped at one. One kid took up enough time and energy, I can't IMAGINE doing justice to more than that. Four at once? You have my utmost sympathy, even if you did do it voluntarily.
Posted by: Jim Yanni | 08/13/2011 at 11:01 AM
No wonder my 6mo freaks every time it's time to go out!
Posted by: Cheryl M. | 08/13/2011 at 01:39 PM
We must have a stroller monster. :@))
Posted by: Liza | 08/15/2011 at 05:17 AM
Oh, my goodness. I literally have tears over here from laughing! *loves it*
Posted by: Cris | 08/18/2011 at 10:42 AM
So true! For some reason I remember seeing monsters in the grain of woodwork when I was a kid.
I have a lot of intact memories from age 2-6, which I gather is unusual. And that hallucination theory has merit. What I saw is not what adults saw.
Posted by: Brett | 08/21/2011 at 08:31 PM
This explains why his socks and shoes are made of lava and why he screamed "NO SHIRT!!!" for 30 minutes straight the other night. :)
Posted by: Genie | 08/22/2011 at 09:01 AM
I love this!! This so explains my son. I think there must be one monster that goes from item to item.. car seat, stroller, high chair, ect... This was perfect.
Posted by: Monica | 08/22/2011 at 06:30 PM
oh man... this is great. thanks, i needed this!
Posted by: Jiyoonie | 08/23/2011 at 02:38 PM
oh I LOVE this !!!!!!!
Just what I needed this morning, a good giggle :-)
Posted by: Happyhousewifey | 08/23/2011 at 02:45 PM
Oh my goodness, that was hilarious. I will definitely use that next time I am getting super frustrated with mine!
Posted by: Katrina | 09/13/2011 at 04:09 PM
My private theory is that between the ages of about 18mnths and 5 years you are actually dealing with a drunk person. It's how I get through my day when my 3 1/2 yo is being insane: "oh. I understand that now. It's just what a drunk person would say/do/excrete".
Posted by: Elizabeth | 09/20/2011 at 09:44 PM
OMG! This is exactly what my grandson did today, including saying "Poopy diaper", when he didn't even have one! BTW, love, love, LOVE your blog!!!
Posted by: Cathy | 12/15/2011 at 07:09 PM
Having a car is every man's dream, I wish to have one!
Posted by: 7 seater cars | 01/11/2012 at 09:08 PM
That is absolutely true! My little brother always resist from sitting in the car seat alone and cries hard.
Posted by: Nitrogen Tyre Inflation | 02/03/2012 at 07:56 AM