Comparing Teenagers with Toddlers: A Moody Analysis

Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde
Teens would most likely roll their eyes at being compared to toddlers. However, besides their size and age, there is really not much of a difference between terrible toddlers and hormonal high schoolers. Not a believer? Watch the metamorphosis of a fifteen year old go from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde in about five seconds flat when his parent confiscates his phone. The yelling, crying, and/or stomping to his room and the slamming of his bedroom door that follows is a pretty Emmy-worthy performance. This is first-hand evidence of the likeness between teens and toddlers. Still not sure? Go take a favorite toy from a two year old! Although one may not typically associate toddlers with teenagers, they are similar in many ways.

Toddlers are finding out that they are their own individual person apart from their parents. They will start to communicate their likes, dislikes, and act as independently as they can, but are not quite capable of expressing their frustrations adequately. These toddlers who express themselves more than others are known as big reactors. These big reactors are not as in control of their emotions as the easy-going children. Big reactors rely more on actions than words to express themselves; this is why toddlers throw so many temper tantrums and show so much defiant behavior. Similar behavioral aspects are true for teenagers as well. Teens try to act as independently as possible, wanting absolute freedom from parents. They push the limits and become even bigger big reactors as their tantrums become fights. This inability to effectively express their feelings will lead many teens to completely withdraw or find friends that are negatively handling the same

For toddlers, this usually involves learning how to share and cooperate. Toddlers bite, spit, and hit when they are mad, which makes for a poor playmate. This is usually why a toddler will make up imaginary friends. It is easier to play with imaginary friends than actual playmates because the toddler makes up the rules; he no longer needs to conform to the wants of the other toddlers or the adults supervising him. The toddler is simply concerned with having his own needs met. Teens have a strong desire to have their needs satisfied as well, but are now overly preoccupied with what their fellow peers think about them. This new preoccupation causes teens to socialize in ways that are different to their original personality which ultimately results in the loss of good