This is a personal essay written by the author, sharing their individual journey and experiences. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this piece belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MyndStories. This essay has not been professionally vetted or reviewed for clinical accuracy.

My last essay was about life as a parent in the first six months of a newborn. And then you have the toddler – all the way up to three years. 

My eldest child began moving around by the sixth month. At that time, we were living in the U.S. without a “village,” and it marked the beginning of our global nomad, or “glomadic”, lifestyle, thanks to international postings for my spouse. Frequent moves made childproofing essential, and I had to learn quickly how to adapt to different homes, cultures, and parenting tools.

Traveling with toddlers: why crying isn’t bad behavior

One of the earliest lessons I learned was about flying with babies. Young children can’t express when their ears hurt due to cabin pressure changes. So they cry—not to disturb others, but because they’re uncomfortable. The next time you hear a baby cry on a flight, try to remember they’re likely experiencing the same discomfort we are, without the ability to explain it.

Depending on the age of the child, this can be managed in different ways – some natural, and in more severe cases, with pediatrician-prescribed medication.

Child-proofing for a moving baby

We researched how best to childproof our temporary residences, often learning from neighbors who were early adopters of a nomadic lifestyle in that country. In the U.S., we discovered the importance of playpens and cribs to safely contain our child while I cooked or answered the door. We also used child-safe locks on drawers and cupboards, and relied on essentials like car seats, strollers, and baby carriers to lead an active social life even in an unfamiliar country.

Managing siblings in different developmental phases

When my second child was born, we were in India until he was 18 months old. And this time, I was surrounded by my personal “village.”

Family stepped in to support his active exploration stage. But even with this help, one of the biggest challenges was making sure my firstborn didn’t feel neglected.

Managing two children at different developmental phases takes emotional attunement, especially when they’re both still so young.

When walking starts, so does learning about care

Once they start walking, running soon follows along with more injuries and a lot more crying. Sometimes the wounds are minor, but the shock of the pain is big for a toddler. These moments, though brief, are powerful learning cues. In them, children begin to absorb how their trusted adults respond to distress. This builds the foundation of attachment in the early years and influences how they relate to others, far into adulthood.

Separation anxiety is not misbehavior

Separation anxiety is a normal part of development during infancy and toddlerhood. It typically begins when a baby can distinguish their primary caregiver from others. They may cry, throw tantrums, or become distressed even when their caregiver steps into the next room. This is because they haven’t yet understood object permanence: the idea that people and things exist even when they’re not visible.

When I took my firstborn to join my husband in the U.S., my biggest fear was that she wouldn’t recognize him—she hadn’t seen him in four months. But the moment we landed and she jumped into his arms, from mine, I sighed in relief. Despite limited interaction through short Skype calls, she had remembered and trusted him.

Separation anxiety typically eases by age two, when the child develops memory and a better sense of time. Healthy routines, gentle introductions to new people, and consistent reassurances help toddlers cope better.

Tantrums, meltdowns, and the myth of the ‘terrible twos’

We were in the U.S. when I first came across the phrase “the terrible twos.” It typically refers to the phase between 18 months and age three (sometimes even four). This is a time of frequent tantrums, meltdowns, and defiance. The reason? Children haven’t yet developed the skills to communicate what they feel, need, or want. That frustration often gets expressed through kicking, biting, screaming, or resistance.

As caregivers, our role is to help them build emotional vocabulary and co-regulate their overwhelming feelings. Using words like angry, disappointed, happy, or sad helps toddlers begin to name their emotions.

Over time, they learn to express and even regulate these feelings on their own, developing emotional intelligence in the process.

With my firstborn, this phase lasted less than a year. But my second child stretched this period well into his fourth year. Establishing predictable routines helped us all. One routine I loved, and both my children enjoyed, was bedtime reading.

Little did I know then that the “terrible twos” were only a teaser for the teen years to come. But that’s a story for another time.

Vocabulary growth and emotional frustration

This is the age when toddlers absorb everything they hear and see. They mirror behaviors—whether it’s words, gestures, or tones of voice. If you notice something unsettling in their behavior, it’s time to reflect on where they might have picked it up. Sometimes that realization can be uncomfortable, but it’s also an opportunity for honest growth.

By age three, a child’s vocabulary includes around 300 words. This grows exponentially to nearly 10,000 words by age six. Still, toddlers often understand more than they can express. That mismatch contributes to meltdowns, frustration from being unable to say what they mean.

What I learned while parenting without a village

Parenting without a support system was hard. But it also gave me room to grow not just as a parent, but as a person.

Until then, I didn’t know I could soothe a meltdown with just a hug. I discovered I enjoyed reading aloud, playing with funny voices, and making my kids laugh through books. I also learned a humbling truth: not all children who are exposed to books grow into readers. My firstborn is an avid reader like me. My second prefers being read to. And that’s okay.

Just when it gets smoother, preschool begins

Compared to the newborn phase, toddlerhood can feel a little slower but it’s still full of changes, for both child and parent. Just as toddlers begin adjusting to their environment and caregivers, we parents bring another change: preschool.

And the journey continues.