When Maxfield, my oldest, now 7, was a toddler, my wife Lauren and I had it pretty easy. Max was an only child. We played double coverage defense most of the time. We both took care of all the parenting duties, assisting each other and both staying on top of the energy filled 2-year-old. We always knew that we could go man-to-man to give the other person a break. We could sub in and out on an as-needed basis.
When Wyatt, our middle child, was a toddler, Max was 4. Lauren and I learned very quickly how to play a man-to-man defense without subs. Divide and conquer, one-on-one would keep the kids in line. Occasionally one of us had something to do, a night out or traveling for work and we were forced into a zone style defense staying on top of the all the activities, moves and jukes of two little kids. Chaotic but doable.
Jackson, our third boy, the youngest, is now officially 2-and-a-half and a very active toddler. Lauren and I are outnumbered. We are constantly in a zone defense with most days feeling like the kids are playing a full court press. Jackson has studied under the tutelage of his older brothers and has learned a thing or two about the terrible twos. He is independent, sharp and quick-tempered when things do not go his way. He is also extremely cute with a good sense of humor and has learned to head fake, dodge and a fast break against the defenders more often than his teammates ever did.
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Jackson is becoming more and more acquainted with the Time Out Chair. I am not saying that Jackson is trouble, I just think he takes advantage of our zone defense. We can't play man-to-man, we are outnumbered. Jax knows we are tired. He knows we can't cover everyone all the time. He knows that every now and then his dad needs to sit on the bench for a breather and that there is no sub coming in to cover him.
