Why Three Years Old is the Most Magical Age

Inside: Why three years old is the most magical age of all!

My daughter is three (going on thirteen).

She’ll turn four this spring.

Three is such a sweet age — in fact, it might just be my favorite age of all!

Yes, of course kids are amazing at every age.

Each year is marked with new milestones – from walking, to talking, to learning to read, to driving a car (EEK…glad we’ve got a way to go on that one!)

But there is something about three years old.

Something almost magical.

As my youngest daughter goes through the last precious few months of her third year, I decided to write down all the things I treasure.

These little things sometimes seem like a part of our everyday life, something that will always be there.

Until they’re not.

And I don’t want to miss a moment, or forget any of this!

Why Three Years Old is the Most Magical Age

We’ve gone through the three year old stage twice in our house, and I’ve loved it all both times! Here’s what I treasure the most:

That magical little voice

With toddlers, sometimes we wonder: what are they thinking??!

At three years old, you can finally hear all the thoughts that have been running through their minds all this time. It is a source of never-ending entertainment, and sometimes it just plain blows you away!

At least once a day I my daughter says something that just WOWS me — how does she know that?!

And yet, for all these new “big kid” thoughts, a three year old still speaks in that sweet, lisp-y little kid voice. You know, the one that melts your heart every time they open their mouth.

Mommy I wuuuv you!

I can’t even handle it.

My youngest daughter swaps the letter “L” sound with the “W” sound (see above). Swoon.

My oldest daughter used to pronounce “STR-” words with the “SCR-” sound. Her favorite cartoon character was “Scrawberry Shortcake,” so we got to enjoy this special little quirk a LOT.

The day I realized that she was actually saying it correctly, I instantly longed for the days of her sweet little lisp.

At three years old, I know that some parents might worry a bit about lisps and vocal quirks. But in many cases, they work themselves out as kids get older.

I mean, I knew my daughter wasn’t going to be 15-years old someday, asking the waitress if she could bring a “scraw” for her drink.

So I just let her say things the way she did.

Until she didn’t anymore.

That soft little voice, with all it’s quirks, will deepen into a big kid’s voice before you know it. And then it will be a grown-up voice later down the road.

So take a mental recording now — and replay it over and over until it is imprinted in your memory forever. This little voice will carry you through the more challenging times ahead.

Their boundless love

The love of a three year old knows no end.

Just one more hug mommy?

Mommy will you lay with me?

How do you resist that request?

Oh that’s right…you don’t.

When your three year old asks for another hug, or one more story, or to lay with them at bedtime as they fall asleep in that voice, you do as you’re asked.

A three year old’s love positively radiates from their little bodies, and I’m pretty sure we are genetically wired to want to be as close as possible to that love at all times.

Soak it up, soak it in.

Remember later when your tween tells you just the opposite in a burst of anger (thank you puberty hormones…) that they were once that little three year old that loved you more than anything in the world. Remind yourself that under that tough exterior and teenage angst, they still do.

Their enthusiasm for life

My youngest daughter wakes up every single day with a gigantic smile, ready to start the day.

Good morning mommy!!

I have to admit, it makes waking up easier on me too. My heart warms as I hear the pitter-patter of her feet on the tile, running to my room, calling out to let me know she’s on the way.

I wish I could bottle up that spirit, that excitement, that energy, and drink a little bit for myself!

A three year old sees each day for what it is — a gift. Each day is a new beginning, and the possibilities are endless.

What will we do today? Who will we see?

They might not know, but they sure are excited to find out!

Somewhere along the way kids lose a little bit of that enthusiasm. (And you and I both know what happens to that carefreee spirit by the time we are adults). Maybe it’s school and the grown-up routines that are thrust upon kids at a younger and younger age. But they don’t usually wake up quite as cheerful (unless we use our special happy morning trick).

However, at three years old, kids still wake up seeing each morning as the best day ever.

We could all learn a little something from this.

Treasure this time with your little one

We’re all busy — myself included.

In fact, I’m writing this as much to remind myself as anyone else!

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase: the days are long, but the years are short. I couldn’t agree more!

Raising young children is work!

Lost sleep
Less personal time and privacy (or almost nonexistent!)
Tears, worries, challenges, and everything that comes with trying to raise these little souls into the adults they’re meant to be

But today I’m asking you (and telling myself) to slow down. Take a moment to just treasure your child(ren) – no matter what their age – and thank God for entrusting them to you.

Then go give your child a hug and let them know that your love for them will always be there, whether they’re three or thirty.

I promise they can never hear it enough.