#Toddlers

A recent column by a retired psychotherapist in The Mercury News has reignited an ongoing debate on the efficacy of ‘gentle parenting’—an approach that emphasizes empathy and connection rather than punishment—particularly for parents struggling with toddlers who display aggressive behaviors such as hitting. The expert argues that while gentle parenting techniques prioritize the development of conscience, empathy, and emotional regulation, accumulating research now suggests these strategies may fall short when tackling persistent or physically aggressive misbehavior in young children. This timely question has global resonance and is particularly significant in Thailand, where parenting traditions, disciplinary norms, and family structures are rapidly changing.

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.

A recent column in The Washington Post prompted fierce debate after a grandmother described her daughter’s strategy of letting a 2½-year-old granddaughter cry for up to 30 minutes rather than picking her up—a response designed, the parents say, to encourage independence and make things easier for teachers at preschool. But is “crying it out” appropriate or potentially harmful at this age? New neuroscience studies and child psychology experts urge a more nuanced, compassionate approach, especially for young Thai families navigating traditional and modern parenting advice.