Tips for Parenting Toddlers and Managing Difficult Behavior

Toddlers are at a unique stage of development where they are learning to assert their independence, communicate their needs and feelings, and explore the world around them.

As a parent, it can be difficult to navigate this complex stage, but with the right tools and strategies, it's possible to create a positive and supportive environment for your child to thrive.

Topics covered:

• Difficult toddler behavior
• Keep it consistent
• Prep them for changes and transitions
• Give them time and space to explore
• Monitor screen time

Difficult toddler behavior

Challenging behavior is par for the course for a little one that is developing and discovering so many new skills in such a short space of time.

It may be frustrating, exhausting, and even embarrassing for parents to deal with difficult behavior or tackle situations where a toddler just won’t listen to them. But it's important to remember that it’s all a normal part of a child’s development.

Here are my top tips for managing difficult behavior in toddlers.

Keep it consistent

Consistency is crucial for a child at any developmental stage and the toddler years are certainly no exception. Having a routine for meals, naps, and playtime provides them with structure and helps them feel secure.

Prep them for changes and transitions

Even though structure is good, sticking to a rigid routine isn’t practical for you or your little one—and it won’t help them cope with change either. Toddlers may find changes to their routinechallenging but communicating that this going to happen and giving them transition warnings can help them navigate disruption.

Give them time and space to explore

Toddlers are naturally curious about the world around them, it’s how they develop and learn new skills. Because of this, it’s essential that you allow them time each day to explore their environment safely on their own terms. Creating space for independent exploration will help build problem solving skills, boost their self-confidence, and mitigate some of the frustration that can lead to challenging behaviors.

Monitor screen time

For toddlers aged between 18 and 24 months old, the recommendations are that screen time should be limited, enjoyed with a parent or caregiver, and used to reinforce their educational development. For children aged under 18 months, screen time should be avoided altogether (with the exception of video calling with family members).

Allowing toddlers to rack up too much screentime and/ or access content that isn’t age appropriate could have a negative impact on their behaviors. Being mindful of your little one’s media use and helping them to build healthy habits from the start is key.

You can read more about how much device time is ok for kids in my guide to Screen Time Recommendations by Age.

If you’d like more support and resources for parenting toddlers, check out my digital parenting course for 0-3 years.