A Doctor Gave Me 2 Pieces Of Advice For Raising Toddlers. Then I Started Using Them On Difficult Adults.

The author attempting to bake muffins with her daughters.

My paediatrician gave me a knowing look as my whiny 18-month-old daughter wriggled out of my arms and plopped down onto the tile floor.

“I think 18 months is the hardest age,” the doctor said. “They’re mobile and opinionated, but they still don’t have the language skills to express their needs, so they throw a lot of tantrums.”

I nodded – that made sense to me as a speech-language pathologist. Communication is our greatest tool when it comes to relationships...