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Three-Year-Olds: The Parallel to Difficult Bosses
by Dr. Amelia Carter
Updated: July 21, 2017
Originally Published: Dec. 16, 2012
In this analysis, I will assume the role of a researcher. As I approach the milestone of my third child turning three, I find myself immersed in a chaotic environment filled with the unpredictable behavior of toddlers. Through careful observation, one could liken these young beings to the most challenging of supervisors.
Everyone has likely experienced working under a manager who seems ill-equipped to guide even the simplest of teams—individuals who, with gritted teeth, you imagine struggle to dress themselves each morning. Yet, incredibly, they ascend to the heights of management. For the sake of this examination, we shall refer to these individuals as “Difficult Bosses” or simply “Bosses” for brevity.
Hypothesis: Three-Year-Olds and Difficult Bosses Share Similar Traits
This assertion may seem audacious, yet I possess ample evidence to substantiate my claims. Allow me to present the findings.
FACT 1: Control Over Your Time
Difficult Boss: “Bathroom break? Lunch? Vacation? Forget it! You’re tethered to my schedule. You can leave your workstation only when I decide it’s time.”
Three-Year-Old: “Bathroom break? Snack? You’re on my schedule! You can’t even think of stepping away until I am done with my endless game of hiding the remote and sitting on the cat.”
FACT 2: Public Embarrassment
Difficult Boss: “You cringe as they butcher facts in front of clients. Thankfully, you’re there to clarify their nonsensical comments at meetings.”
Three-Year-Old: “They speak in utter nonsense, and you find yourself translating their garbled words during playdates or doctor visits, explaining that ‘Hoo-Haw’ means something entirely different.”
FACT 3: Disrupting Your Plans
Difficult Boss: “You’ve arranged a special evening with your partner? Too bad! A last-minute project just landed, and you’re now on alert to meet their needs.”
Three-Year-Old: “You planned a night out? Well, I just caught a cold from a classmate, and now all those plans are off!”
FACT 4: Doing All the Work, Receiving None of the Praise
Difficult Boss: “You handle every task while they take credit. You compile reports and cover for them, only to receive a meager gift card at year’s end.”
Three-Year-Old: “You do everything to keep them happy, only to receive a swift kick in the shins as they scream for bedtime.”
FACT 5: Feeling Stuck
Difficult Boss: “You’re trapped in a role with no reward. Sure, the pay is lacking, and benefits are minimal, yet you endure. A job is a job.”
Three-Year-Old: “You feel equally trapped, but the love you have for this little person makes it all worthwhile, even if they’re a handful.”
The data is compelling: the behaviors of Difficult Bosses and three-year-olds bear striking similarities. The only factor that varies in this research is love. When it comes to affection, toddlers undoubtedly surpass their boss counterparts. While the dynamics of corporate life may lead to frustration, the emotional ties with our children often soften the chaos.
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Summary:
In conclusion, the parallels between three-year-olds and difficult bosses are undeniable. Both exhibit controlling behavior, cause public embarrassment, disrupt plans, take credit for work done by others, and create a sense of entrapment. However, the love for our children remains a powerful counterbalance to the challenges they present.
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