Author: Noeum

If you’ve ever carried a screaming toddler out of a store while everyone stared at you, welcome to the club. You’re officially a parent. I’m a university professor who teaches conflict resolution and HR management. I help adults solve problems every day. But here’s the truth: negotiating with grown-ups is much easier than dealing with a two-year-old who wants a candy bar. Last week, my son had a major meltdown at our local grocery store. I want to share what happened and the practical toddler tantrum tips that actually work when you’re standing in the cereal aisle, feeling like the…

If you’re reading this at 2 AM after your toddler threw a toy at your face or hit you for the third time today, I get it. You’re exhausted, maybe a little embarrassed, and wondering if your sweet baby has turned into a tiny tornado. Here’s the truth: hitting and throwing are completely normal toddler behaviors. They’re frustrating, yes, but they don’t mean you’re failing as a parent. Let me share what actually works, based on real-life experience and the recommendations of child development experts. Why Do Toddlers Hit and Throw Things? Before we jump into solutions, it helps to…

Last Tuesday, I watched my daughter slump over her math worksheet at 7:45 PM. She’d been sitting there for over an hour, and we’d only gotten through half of it. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever googled” how long should second grade homework take” at 8 o’clock at night while your kid’s in tears, you’re in the right place. Let me share what I’ve learned from teachers, other parents, and plenty of trial and error. The Basic Answer: About 20 Minutes Here’s the general guideline most schools follow: second grade homework should take around 20 minutes. This comes from something educators…

Does writing time turn into a full-blown meltdown in your house? You are definitely not alone. At home, my 8-year-old daughter is a devoted reader. She understands math concepts easily. But the second she has to physically write the numbers or letters down, the tears start flowing. Slumped shoulders, crossed arms, and her go-to line: “I can’t do it. It’s too hard.” If you have a 2nd grader who hates writing, keep reading. I have been right where you are, and I finally found what actually works. Why Does My 2nd Grader Hate Writing So Much? Before we delve into…

My kids used to spend their screen time watching cartoons. You know the drill—glassy eyes, open mouths, completely zoned out. I hated it. I tried going cold turkey. No screens at all. That lasted about three days before I realized I was fighting a losing battle. My 8-year-old needs to type for school assignments. My 2-year-old sees us on laptops and desperately wants to copy everything his big sister does. Screens aren’t going anywhere. So I stopped asking “how much screen time?” and started asking “what kind of screen time?” That small shift changed everything. Active vs. Passive Screen Time:…

This morning, my two-year-old son taught me something important. While his expensive battery-powered toys sat untouched in the corner, he spent nearly an hour completely absorbed with two plastic stools. Not sitting on them. Playing with them. He stacked them, pulled them apart, looked through the holes, and eventually built something entirely his own. That’s when it hit me: The best playthings for a two-year-old aren’t always ‘toys’ at all. What Are Open-Ended Toys? Open-ended toys don’t have just one way to play. Unlike a toy that makes sounds when you press a button, open-ended play for toddlers means they…

If you walked into his room, past the wall of blue Doraemon stickers, you’d see him in the same orange outfit he’s worn for 21 days. He treats them like a uniform. If I try to hand him a blue shirt? Meltdown. If the pants are in the wash? Disaster. It is Orange Shark Life, every single day. If your toddler refuses to change clothes and you’re tired of the daily battles, you’re not alone. Many parents face this exact struggle when their child refuses to wear certain clothes or insists on wearing the same outfit repeatedly. Why Your Toddler…

Teaching your toddler the alphabet doesn’t have to be a daily battle with flashcards and forced lessons. Sometimes, the best teacher isn’t you—it’s their older sibling. I learned this lesson watching my 2-year-old son learn from his 8-year-old sister in the most unexpected way. The Problem with Traditional Teaching Methods When I try to teach my toddler letters using flashcards or workbooks, he runs away. To him, I’m just boring Dad trying to make him do something he doesn’t want to do. Sound familiar? Most parents face this same struggle. We buy alphabet books, colorful flashcards, and educational apps. But…

For the longest time, 7 PM was the worst part of my day. That’s when the toothbrush came out, and that’s when my toddler turned into a tiny wrestling champion. You probably know this scene. Your kid sees the toothbrush coming and suddenly acts like you’re trying to feed them poison. Mouth clamped shut. Head whipping from side to side. Sometimes screaming. Always exhausting. I tried everything I could think of. Different flavored toothpaste. Singing silly songs. Even straight-up bribery with stickers. Nothing worked longer than a day or two. Then one random evening, I spotted his favorite stuffed poodle…

Last Tuesday morning, I watched my 2-year-old play with his toy trucks. He was completely focused, pushing a yellow construction truck back and forth on his little table. But something caught my eye: his pink stuffed poodle was lying alone on the floor, completely ignored. That’s when I realized—this was a perfect moment to teach empathy through play. What Happened: A Real Story About Teaching Empathy to Toddlers My son was playing alone, happy with his trucks. But I knew he could learn something important if I guided him gently. So I pointed to the stuffed poodle on the floor…