The two-year revolution: a guide for parents 2026

We give you keys that will help you accompany your child in the face of his fears, the potty, tantrums, the transition from the crib to the bed, learning to dress himself... Children of two years make a lot of progress in their development and undergo many changes: they learn to control their sphincters, they go through a stage of stubbornness, they start going to daycare...

Discover the changes that the little one is experiencing, arm yourself with patience and prepare to accompany your child at this stage.

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The age of independence. What can we parents do?

At two years old, children declare their independence by saying: 'I'm on my own!' at the most inopportune moments.

But there is no need to be scared. The consolidation of their nascent 'I' causes them to go through this stage of stubbornness and negativity. While it lasts, it requires parents full of humor, understanding and a lot of left hand. To cope with it you must:

Urinal

At this stage they also face terrible sphincter control. They start going to the bathroom alone and it is a very complicated mission for them. However, they set out to achieve it with real determination.

Control of coca is usually achieved between two and two and a half years and daytime control of pee between two and a half and three. Nighttime pee may continue to leak until after your third (and even your fourth) birthday. These data are approximate and each child has their peculiarities.

Tantrums

• They are typical of this age and it would be worrying if they were missing altogether. The best way to deal with them is to assume that they are normal for two-year-olds.
• Most of the time they do not require us to do anything special, just stay calm and wait for them to pass. If the little one tries to get something that we are clear that we should not grant, it is best not to give in, even if it happens in a public place and people see it.
• When it has passed, we do not have to be resentful and we must treat the child with affection and normality.

Fears

• It is normal to feel afraid in the early years. Some of them, such as fear of traffic or fire, are necessary. Others, more fantastic, are typical of the age: the exaggerated fear of animals, the dark, noises or the Three Wise Men.
• Although we see them as unjustified, we should not force the child to face them because then his fear and feeling of failure may increase. You have to accept the fact and, without demands, try to help him overcome it.
• We have to praise and reward their efforts and progress, no matter how small they may be. Although it is not good to force things, you have to know how to be patient and accept as normal many childhood fears that, over time, go back to where they came from.
• We should never use our child's fears to control their behavior. Threatening with the bogeyman, the witch, or injections can lead to terrors that are more intense and lasting than they were initially.

From the crib to the bed

• Those who slept in a crib have to make the jump to a 'real' bed. It is a good idea to consider it as a consequence of being older, as an advance.
• It should not be seen as a loss, but rather as a celebration. If the child accompanies us to buy the mattress and helps us choose the colors of the sheet and quilt, he will feel more involved instead. When the reason for the move is the arrival of a baby, we will make the transition with enough time in advance so that both things do not coincide
• It is also not advisable for us to sleep next to him, because later he may demand it from us.
• We must maintain the same rituals and routines at bedtime.

Sleep rituals

The time to go to bed is now very special. The children laze around and try to delay being alone in their room as long as they can.

Sometimes they need a whole ritual to sleep: putting them in their pajamas, putting out their toys, playing a song or reading them a story. The feeling of order and repetition calms them and gives them security.

Normally, after the age of three, the rituals will disappear. As long as we have not told them about the bogeyman, the witch or similar, because they will take the matter literally and there will be no way to convince them that it was a joke.

Hygiene

• You can now learn grooming habits. He is able to wash and dry his hands or clean his teeth.
• Our help is essential. We must tell him that he should wash his hands several times a day: after going to the toilet, before eating, when returning to the park, after playing with his pet... By reminding him and practicing with him, he will naturally incorporate it into his daily routine.
• Soaps and towels in fun colors and shapes can be of great help, as well as an improvised song that we sing while he is washing.
• It is still not advisable for him to bathe alone, but he can soap, rinse and dry himself with our help. Bath time must be made a pleasant moment, conducive to laughter, games and cuddles.

Learn to dress themselves