Terrible Twos?! The Power in Words

Mamas and Daddies! Yes, I’m calling on the fathers too because parenting is a shared journey. A father’s presence is crucial, especially when discussing something as important as this.

Now, let’s talk. When I had my first baby, she was pure light—a joy then and still a joy today. My husband worked while I stayed home with her, and we did everything together. That was my little homie. As she grew, I constantly heard about the so-called "terrible twos." I even heard parents casually calling their two-year-olds bad. But with Genesis? Not once did I experience anything terrible.

Of course, there was one moment. I asked her not to do something at the age of two, and like any child, she tested the waters. But it took just one firm correction for her to understand—we don’t test authority in this family. And that was that. Even in that moment, she wasn’t terrible. She was learning. That’s why I don’t call it the terrible twos—I call it the trying twos destined for triumph. Because no matter how blessed, how deeply loved, or how covered in generational blessings a child is, they will try to test the dos and don’ts. But in this family, we do not claim terrible over our children. Hallelujah!

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." — Proverbs 18:21

That was my experience with a little girl. But a two-year-old boy? HALLELUJAH!

My sweet Promise is just that—a powerful promise from God. And at two years old, I can tell you yes, he is very active, yes, I have to correct him mutlple times, yes, I have to drink an energy drink with him lol. I don’t even know where he gets his supernatural energy from! But there is nothing bad or terrible about my beautiful son. I have been pregnant and birthing babies since 2019, but Promise is the only one who has had us rushing to the hospital for stitches—at two years old! Still, I refuse to speak negativity over him because that is not, nor will it ever be his portion in JESUS name!

Two-year-olds are learners. They explore. They are naturally curious. And their behavior is shaped by what foundation they are planted in and what kind of water they receive.

What do I mean?

Promise was born from love and is being raised in love. His father is a Man Under God’s Authority, and his mother is a Woman Under God’s Authority. He comes from a home filled with love, discipline, and faith. He sees us prioritize God, and even at two, he understands the importance of putting God first. The love in our home is the water that nurtures him. Our family altar time waters him. The discipline, the redirection, the daily affirmations—we are watering our son with life.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." — Proverbs 22:6

And yes, even with all that, he has his two-year-old moments. We all know how that goes! But instead of labeling him as bad and whatever else the world try to label kids while throwing them on medication, we handle those moments with wisdom, we lean on the Holy Spirit to guide us. Because when the foundation is solid, the child is not a bad seed.

When my husband is at work and Promise gets frustrated (which is sleep or hunger, like just close your eyes sir, I can understand the hungry part), I look him in the eyes and speak into him:

"Promise, you are the son of God. You are the son of Colin ‘Breakthrough’ Beasley. You are prosperous, loved, and intelligent. Whatever it is, son, it will be alright because Mama is here to help you."

I remind him of who he is. I speak life into him because I know he is already destined for greatness.

"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." — Proverbs 16:24

Let’s be real—there are moments when we have to correct our two-year-olds. But discipline should never come from an ugly place. It should come from love, not emotion. The way we discipline them can shape their future. If we water them the wrong way, it can impact them for years to come.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4

Think about it—God has been patient with us. Can we not extend the same grace to our babies?

I used to hear parents, mostly mothers, casually saying their two-year-old was bad without realizing the power of their words. Life and death are in the tongue! What we speak over our children matters. If you keep calling them bad, don’t be surprised when they start believing it so STOP IT IN JESUS NAME!

So, I urge you, mamas, as I remind myself—let’s water our babies with LIFE!

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." — Numbers 6:24-26

And when you do, pass this water to another mother.

- MAMA TONI