Sun Tzu's Advice for Modern Parenting

The ancient military strategist Sun Tzu once said, "He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious." While Sun Tzu was referring to warfare, this sage advice surprisingly applies perfectly to the everyday battleground that is parenting a toddler.

(Caption: Sun Tzu says, "Hide well, parent well!")

The Tactics of Avoiding a Toddler

Every parent knows that a toddler can be a force of nature—unpredictable, unstoppable, and always on the move. To survive, one must adopt strategic maneuvers such as "The Decoy Snack," "The Distraction Toy," or the classic "Hide and Wait until Naptime."

1. The Decoy Snack

Sun Tzu might call this "using traps and decoys." By strategically placing snacks in a location far from where you need to be, you can "buy" yourself some precious minutes of peace while they are distracted by a bag of Goldfish crackers.

Example:

You need to make an important phone call or finish a work email. Place a plate of cookies on the opposite end of the room where your toddler plays. Voila, you've gained a valuable window of quiet time until they finish their mission of devouring the cookies (or making a mess—whichever comes first).

2. The Distraction Toy

Another tactic could be likened to Sun Tzu's "know thine enemy." Knowing what captivates your toddler allows you to introduce a new or favorite toy that can hold their attention long enough for you to make your escape from the room.

Example:

Invest in a toy that makes noise (preferably one that can be heard from another room so you can keep tabs on their whereabouts). Once the toy captures their full attention, you can make a stealthy exit and find a hiding place where you can finally check your emails or simply breathe deeply for a few minutes.

3. Hide and Wait until Naptime

Perhaps the most Sun Tzu-esque strategy here is "lying in wait." While "lying in wait" traditionally means staying hidden until the right moment strikes, in parenting terms, this translates to waiting until the toddler finally succumbs to exhaustion and falls asleep.

Example:

After a long morning of running around and causing chaos, there comes a glorious moment when nap time is near. Your job is to stay quiet and out of sight until the little menace is put down for a nap. Once they are asleep, you can emerge victorious from your hiding spot and enjoy a well-earned break.

Conclusion

While Sun Tzu might never have envisioned that his "The Art of War" would be used as a manual for parenting, his wisdom proves timeless. By employing prudence and strategic planning, any parent can navigate the "war zone" that comes with raising a toddler.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed by your parenting duties, remember this: "He who is prudent and lies in wait for a toddler who is not, will indeed be victorious."

Caption: "He who hides from the toddler might just live to see another day."