#FamilySupport

Raising a toddler is both a celebration and a challenge. New findings from parenting research shed light on the realities behind those cherished first steps and first words, helping Thai families bridge the gap between expectation and experience as they blend traditional values with modern child-rearing strategies.

The move from infancy to a curious, sometimes headstrong toddler brings awe and fatigue in equal measure. Although countless guides exist, research shows a gap between idealized advice and daily surprises. A recent feature in a major Indian publication highlights ten unexpected truths about toddler parenting, underscoring that real life rarely matches glossy social-media portrayals or conventional parenting manuals.

Raising a toddler remains one of life’s most remarkable, yet challenging journeys, according to fresh insights emerging from recent parenting research and expert reflection. While the joys of watching a child’s first steps and hearing their first words are widely celebrated, the lesser-discussed hardships—ranging from unpredictable tantrums to ever-shifting sleep routines—can leave many Thai parents unprepared. As families across Thailand embrace modern child-rearing strategies amid traditional expectations, understanding the nuanced realities of toddlerhood can help bridge the gap between expectation and experience.

An intensifying mental health crisis among American youth has pushed hundreds of desperate parents to an agonizing decision: relinquishing custody of their own children to the state, simply to obtain the urgent, specialized mental health care unavailable to them otherwise. Recent stories brought to light by USA TODAY, including the harrowing experience of Nina Richtman in Iowa, highlight not only immense personal suffering but also systemic gaps in health and social support across the United States, reverberating with important lessons for Thai families, policymakers, and healthcare providers alike (USA TODAY 2025).

In the digital age, Thai parents are bombarded with advice about using parental controls, but new research and expert consensus confirm an unsettling truth: no matter how diligent parents are, technology’s current safeguards fall short of genuinely protecting children online. This reality, revealed by recent studies and policy debates, underscores a growing call for government and industry accountability, echoing urgent lessons from the United States that resonate strongly with Thailand’s increasingly tech-centric society (Inquirer).

In Thailand’s connected world, parental controls are everywhere. Yet new research and expert consensus show a hard truth: even the best parental vigilance cannot fully shield children from online risks. This reality calls for greater accountability from governments and industry, echoing lessons from global debates that resonate with Thailand’s tech-driven households and schools.

Thai parents juggle screens, apps, and games across multiple devices. Tools such as screen-time limits, content filters, and monitoring apps help, but trusted researchers warn they offer only partial protection. A growing concern is that unofficial control apps can threaten privacy and are often bypassed by tech-savvy youths. While these findings come from international sources, they are increasingly relevant as Thailand expands its digital infrastructure in homes and classrooms.

A wave of outrage has erupted across the autism community in response to recent statements by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claimed that “autism destroys families” and characterized the condition as a societal burden. Parents and advocates have taken to the airwaves and social media to reject Kennedy’s portrayal of autism, demanding a shift in narrative toward acceptance and inclusion rather than stigma and despair. As families in Thailand and around the world contend with increasing autism diagnoses, this controversy highlights the ongoing struggle over how society perceives and supports individuals on the autism spectrum.

A wave of responses from the autism community has emerged after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. labeled autism as a societal burden and claimed it “destroys families.” Parents and advocates emphasize that autistic individuals bring unique strengths and deserve acceptance, inclusion, and adequate support. The debate, while centered on the U.S. public figure, resonates with families in Thailand and worldwide as diagnoses rise and services evolve.

In its essence, the controversy challenges a long-standing view of autism as a problem to be managed. Parents insist that their children are not burdens but individuals with potential, requiring understanding and resources. As one mother wrote online, the family’s purpose and joy lie in raising autistic children, not in portraying them as a burden. This sentiment mirrors reports across the journalism landscape that highlight diverse family experiences shaped by social support, access to early intervention, and community acceptance.

A growing crisis in youth mental health in the United States has driven hundreds of parents to make an agonizing choice: surrender custody to the state in hopes of securing urgent, specialized care their families cannot access otherwise. National reporting highlights cases like Nina Richtman’s in Iowa, revealing deep systemic gaps in health, social support, and child welfare that resonate with Thai families, policymakers, and healthcare providers seeking better outcomes at home.

A growing body of international research shows that grandparents are shouldering unprecedented levels of childcare—transforming not only family relationships but also the way societies must support both the elderly and the youngest generations. Recent reports, including one from The Atlantic published in April 2025, highlight “an age of peak grandparenting,” with nearly 60% of American grandmothers providing childcare for grandchildren, and more than 40% seeing a grandchild weekly. Experts warn that the consequences of this shift are profound, shaping retirement, family bonds, and child development not just in the West but across Asia—including Thailand, where traditional family structures and rapid societal changes intersect in unique ways.

Grandparents are taking an increasingly central role in childcare worldwide, reshaping family life and pressuring social systems to adapt. Recent research highlights a trend toward “an age of peak grandparenting,” with many grandparents providing regular care and support for working parents. In Thailand, rapid urbanization, shifting family structures, and an aging population mean grandparent involvement has grown in both importance and complexity.

Why this matters for Thai readers. Traditionally, Thai families relied on multigenerational support, with grandparents passing down culture and often stepping in to care for children. As more parents work outside the home and cities expand, older family members frequently shoulder caregiving duties, sometimes due to limited affordable formal care. In Bangkok and rural areas alike, data from UNICEF Thailand indicate that a notable share of young children live with grandparents or other extended family. This pattern affects child development, elder health, and household finances, underscoring the need for effective support systems.

The tragic reality faced by many families after childbirth is coming into sharper focus, with the latest research and high-profile personal accounts underscoring a crisis: the mental health of new mothers, particularly those facing postpartum psychosis, remains dangerously overlooked. A recent heartfelt piece in The Independent tells the story of Rich Baish, whose wife developed severe anxiety and exhaustion after the birth of their daughter. Despite noticing troubling changes, Rich and his wife—like so many parents—did not understand the signs of postpartum psychosis, a rare but life-threatening condition. Within a month of giving birth, she took her own life, leaving a family shattered by grief and questions about how such tragedies continue to happen despite being preventable.The Independent

Recent reports and personal stories are shedding light on a crisis that affects families worldwide: the mental health of new mothers, including postpartum psychosis. A heartfelt feature recounts a husband’s struggle after his wife developed severe anxiety and exhaustion following their child’s birth. Despite early warning signs, both partners lacked awareness of postpartum psychosis, a rare but life-threatening condition. Within weeks, the mother took her own life, leaving a grieving family seeking answers about preventable tragedies.