🧠 Why Does Everyone Say "He's Just Learning a New Skill" 👶
If you’ve been around a parent of a baby or toddler for more than five minutes, you’ve heard it—maybe even said it yourself with a sage nod:
"Oh, he’s just learning a new skill."
This phrase is so common it could be embroidered on onesies. But why do we say it? Is it backed by science, or are we just convincing ourselves that our kid’s 2 a.m. scream-fests are noble acts of growth rather than tiny chaos missions?
Where It Came From
Like most parenting clichés, the origin is fuzzy—likely born from a blend of sleep-deprived optimism and sheer survival instinct. Instead of admitting that parenting is wildly unpredictable, we slap on this handy explanation: waking every hour? Learning to crawl. Screaming at bedtime? Mastering object permanence. Refusing green beans? Exploring autonomy. Conveniently, experts often back it up—developmental leaps really can disrupt sleep, appetite, and mood.
Why We Say It (and the Science to Back It)
We crave order and logic. A reason feels better than chaos.
It’s often true—big milestones burn brainpower, leaving kids overstimulated, cranky, and sleepless.
Research shows motor and cognitive gains can mess with sleep—babies literally “practice” skills in their heads at night.
It’s a coping tool. A tidy explanation helps us feel in control (and sound like we know what we’re doing).
What It Really Means
“My baby is going through something. I don’t fully get it, but I need a reason so I don’t lose my mind.” Babies and toddlers are in constant flux—last week’s potato is this week’s rollover machine; yesterday’s bedtime angel is today’s sleep rebel. It’s normal. Inconvenient? Yes. Malicious? No.
Should We Keep Saying It?
Absolutely. It reminds us our kids aren’t trying to torture us—they’re learning how to be human. And if they’re learning new skills, so are we: the skill of surviving parenthood with at least some of our sanity intact.
Do you say this phrase in your house? To your friends who are struggling through new-parent chaos? Drop us a comment and let us know.
Stay fresh, have a laugh & join the club!
FRESH DIAPIE SOCIAL CLUB
