The Toddler Stage: The Wildest Ride in Parenting 🚀
If you’re currently raising a toddler, congratulations—you’re living in a real-life episode of Survivor (but with fewer immunity challenges and more snack negotiations).
One minute, your tiny human is the sweetest, cuddliest creature on Earth. The next? They're lying face-down on the floor of the grocery store because you dared to give them the wrong color cup.
The toddler years (12-36 months) are a whirlwind of growth, emotions, and yes, chaos. But the more we understand what’s going on in those little heads, the easier (and less soul-draining) this stage becomes.
So, what should you expect? What’s normal? And how do you help your toddler navigate this wild phase without completely losing your sanity? Let’s break it down.
📌 What Is a Toddler?
A toddler is a child aged 12 to 36 months. This is the stage between babyhood and full-blown kid mode. It’s a time of rapid brain development, emotional growth, and major milestones (like learning how to run toward danger and say "NO" 400 times a day).
The Big Three Toddler Truths:
✔ They are learning independence (but still need you for everything).
✔ They have big emotions (but zero ability to regulate them).
✔ They are absorbing everything (so watch your language, Karen).
📌 Toddler Development Milestones (What to Expect at 1, 2 & 3 Years Old)
🍼 12-18 Months: The Explorer Phase
👣 Physical:
- Walking (or running full speed into walls)
- Climbing everything (including things they absolutely should not climb)
🗣 Language:
- Saying 2-5 words (but understanding way more)
- Mimicking sounds and gestures
🧠 Cognitive:
- Learning cause and effect (a.k.a. dropping things off high chairs for fun)
- Recognizing themselves in a mirror (and possibly kissing their own reflection)
💡 How You Can Help:
- Encourage safe exploration (baby-proof everything).
- Read books, sing songs, talk to them constantly.
- Give choices to empower them (but not too many—toddlers and indecision don’t mix).
🧠 18-24 Months: The Mini Scientist Phase
👣 Physical:
- Running like their life depends on it
- Kicking balls (or your shin, accidentally… maybe)
🗣 Language:
- Using 10-50 words (yes, it escalates quickly)
- Combining two words ("want snack"—their most important phrase)
🧠 Cognitive:
- Understanding simple directions ("Give mama the remote—wait, not in the toilet!")
- Tantrums increase because emotions are big and self-control is nonexistent
💡 How You Can Help:
- Use simple words and short sentences.
- Acknowledge feelings ("I see you’re frustrated because you can’t have cookies for breakfast").
- Offer toddler-safe choices to give them a sense of control.
👧 2-3 Years: The Social Butterfly Phase
👣 Physical:
- Jumping, climbing, spinning, dancing
- Trying to dress themselves (but insisting on wearing one specific outfit every day)
🗣 Language:
- Full-blown conversations (usually about very random things)
- Asking “WHY?” at least 642 times a day
🧠 Cognitive:
- More pretend play (expect to drink many imaginary cups of tea)
- Beginning to understand emotions and friendships
💡 How You Can Help:
- Encourage independence ("You can do it! Let’s try together").
- Teach social skills (model kindness, sharing, and not throwing things in frustration).
- Validate emotions while setting boundaries ("It’s okay to be mad, but we don’t hit").
📌 Parenting a Toddler: How to Survive & Thrive
✔ Keep routines consistent – Toddlers thrive on predictability.
✔ Pick your battles – Mismatched socks? Whatever. Licking shopping cart handles? Yeah, that’s a no.
✔ Stay patient – (Easier said than done, but deep breaths help).
✔ Remember: This stage is temporary – The chaos will end (and you might even miss it—one day).
The toddler years can be messy, exhausting, and frustratingly adorable. But they’re also an incredible time of discovery and bonding. Hang in there—you’re doing amazing!