I couldn’t help but laugh a little at her perfectly timed response. It was a reminder that sometimes kids are far tougher than we give them credit for. My toddler had no complaints about the cold and was ready to continue on her way. She was clearly comfortable and content, making her way through the snow-covered streets like it was just another normal day.
The stranger, meanwhile, seemed taken aback by her response, perhaps realizing they had misunderstood the situation. The moment passed quickly, and the stranger didn’t say anything more. We continued on our path to daycare, with my toddler skipping ahead happily, completely unfazed by the chilly air around her.In that moment, I felt like a proud parent. Not only had my toddler handled the cold with ease, but her confident response had turned an awkward situation into a win for us. It was a small, simple moment, but it reminded me of how capable and resilient children can be, and how they can sometimes teach us lessons about embracing the cold – and life – with a little more courage and a lot more joy.