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March 7, 2018

What the Spice Girls Taught Me About Parenting Toddlers

What the Spice Girls Taught Me About Parenting Toddlers

TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT, WHAT YOU REALLY, REALLY WANT


This morning at 4:30 am I finally realized what the Spice Girls song “Wannabe” is really all about. And this epiphany, along with the fact that I was up with my 1 year old who had lost ALL of her chill and was flailing about like a fish out of water, just about blew my mind.

“Wannabe” wasn’t about a gentleman caller wanting to court one of the ladies Spice. Nor was it about friendship. Those parts were just filler.

The song was totally about interacting with a toddler.

Posh, Baby, Scary, Sporty, and Ginger weren’t just providing catchy lyrics and middle school lip sync competition gold in the 1990s. No, the Spice Girls were preparing the youth of the world to be parents and it was downright brilliant. Let’s break this one down.


Yo, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want

Says the toddler without giving any indication of what it is that she really, really wants. But she really REALLY wants it and that should be enough for you to understand how to meet her needs.


So tell me what you want, what you really, really want

Says the parent. I hear you. You are pointing up at the counter with fervor and your toddler babble is VERY loud but everything I seem to be handing you is wrong. Goldfish Crackers? Juice? This toy car? My keys? My sanity? Please tell me what you want, what you really, really want. And maybe use an inside voice.


I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want

Says the toddler. She doesn’t know how much more clear she could be. THAT is what she wants and she doesn’t only want it right now, she wanted it ten minutes ago and you should have read her mind to know that. Pull it together, you’re the adult. “Why don’t you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth? I WANT THAT!”


So tell me what you want, what you really, really want

Says the parent. I see that you’re upset. I have literally handed you everything that is on this counter beside the knife block and that’s going to be a hard no. Plus when I pointed it at it you threw your head back and let out a rage-filled war cry so I honestly don’t think that’s what it is. Please tell me what you want, what you really, really want.

Look, Mommy will start so you can mirror the behavior I am requesting from you #ProTip. I really, really want world peace, more companies to adopt family-friendly work policies, and a margarita. See how I used my words?


I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha)

Says the toddler now hyperventilating from disappointment, frustration, and a little bit of shangry (sleepy, hungry, angry.) The internal toddler monologue must be “You are just the worst. Why are you ruining my life? I thought I was your sunshine, joy, and reason for existence. FOR THE LOVE OF ELMO, PROVE IT!!!!”


I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah

Says the toddler, finally. “I want a ZIGAZIG AH. SEE, NOW I AM BEING PERFECTLY CLEAR! Hand it over, please.”

Leaving the parent to say:

“But honey, that’s not a thing. It’s a made up word. I don’t know how to give you a zigazig ah. So please…”


Tell me what you want, what you really, really want.

See? That song finally make sense.


With confidence that this is pure nonsense but also brilliant so I should probably hit publish soon before someone else does,


Filed Under: Family, For the 90s Nostalgic, Laughs Tagged With: 90's, Funny, Humor, Mom, Mom Blog, Music, Parenting, Parenting Humor, Spice Girls, Toddlers

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebekah Clayton says

    March 7, 2018 at 7:36 am

    🀣 I actually sing this to my one-year-old all. the. time! β€œTell me what you want, what you really really want!” You nailed it, Becca!

    XO Beka

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 8, 2018 at 4:28 pm

      That’s awesome!! Beccas/Bekas thinking alike. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Tiff says

    March 7, 2018 at 7:57 am

    Oh man. It really does make sense now. I have definitely had this same conversation with my “shangry” 1 year old (great word btw). Sometimes it’s about nothing, but sometimes he actually wants straight up sugar out of the sugar bowl. Lol. Did you try that? πŸ˜‚ In moments of desperation I have conceded and given my lil guy whatever amount of pure sugar will stick to the tip of a wet spoon. πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ Pure ridiculousness!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 8, 2018 at 4:29 pm

      Hahaha! I think he’s onto something… πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Candy Keane says

    March 7, 2018 at 8:27 am

    My son is actually really good at telling me Exactly what he really really wants, very clearly. And then throws himself on the floor crying and flailing because, no, he actually didn’t want that…

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:52 pm

      OF COURSE he didn’t want THAT, Candy. Don’t be ridiculous.

      Reply
  4. Emily @ Pizza @ Pull-Ups says

    March 7, 2018 at 9:28 am

    Lol, it al makes sense now. My littlest one frequently announces she wants β€œsomething.” She provides no clues as to what something is, but you better get it right.

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:52 pm

      Hahaha, ah the ever specific “something.” Kids are amazing.

      Reply
  5. Flossie McCowald | SuperMomHacks says

    March 7, 2018 at 10:55 am

    OMG this is so funny! I am LMAO right here right now! Thanks for the note of humor in a somewhat trying day!!!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:45 pm

      So glad to bring a little funny to a tough day!! Come back whenever you need a little ridiculous in your day. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Sarah Martin says

    March 7, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    I am laughing so hard right now! That was great, and also so true.

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:51 pm

      Hooray for hard laughing!! Thanks so much for reading! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Elise Ho says

    March 7, 2018 at 10:04 pm

    I love this. This is phenomenal and just hilarious. I think it is quite true too.

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:46 pm

      Thank you so much for reading and laughing with me!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  8. Heather @ A Heart of Humility says

    March 7, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    This made me laugh! …and immediately start karaoking! 😍 Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:44 pm

      YES! It can get so stuck in your head though, be careful. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Ellen Coyne says

    March 8, 2018 at 9:07 am

    Would love to have had your humor and insight while parenting in the 90’s !

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:44 pm

      Haha! I don’t know about the insight! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  10. The Pretty Platform says

    March 8, 2018 at 6:15 pm

    This was Amazing!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks for reading and laughing with me!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says

    March 8, 2018 at 8:32 pm

    Yep, once again laughing out loud with each sentence. These posts are so fantastic, Becca!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks so much, Paula!! πŸ™‚ Love having you laugh with me!

      Reply
  12. Kalyn says

    March 9, 2018 at 9:10 am

    I’m dying because this is so relatable! This is 10,000% my toddler! She has a significant speech delay so my life is one big guessing game. Thanks for bringing some humor to the situation!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      March 10, 2018 at 7:41 pm

      So many challenging situations in this crazy parenting journey! The more we can laugh, the easier it gets. Thanks so much for reading and I’m glad I could bring some humor to your day!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  13. Niki at Toot's Mom is Tired says

    March 11, 2018 at 3:19 pm

    Omg this is the best!

    Reply
  14. Brittany says

    March 11, 2018 at 8:32 pm

    This is so flipping hilarious. I really love how you connected the two. It fits so perfectly, there can be no other meaning to this song now!!

    Reply
  15. savvystepmommy says

    May 18, 2018 at 10:24 am

    Oh my gosh, so true! Now I’m going to have this song in my head whenever my 4 year old step daughter is having a moment, haha. I love your posts!

    Reply

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Career Coach | Mom | Writer
Welcome to With Love, Becca! I'm a career coach, working mom of two, and writer dedicated to helping women find more fulfillment and joy in their work and lives. Stick around for resources (and lots of humor) to help you manage motherhood, manage careers, and manage to laugh through it all.
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