What Makes My Kids Cry Today

If babyhood is about first smiles and giggles, toddlerhood is about big emotions, bigger messes, and endless opportunities to connect. It’s the season of snack crumbs in the couch, pillow forts in the living room, and very dramatic meltdowns in the middle of Target. But here’s the thing: in all of it — the fun and the chaos — trust is being built.

Play is the Language of Toddlers

Toddlers don’t always have the words to tell us what they need, but they do have play. When they invite us into their world with a plastic teacup or a block tower, they’re saying, “Will you join me?” And when we answer with a smile and a silly “Mmm, delicious!” or a “Wow, that tower is huge!” we’re telling them, “Yes, I see you. I’m with you.”

Play doesn’t have to be fancy. In fact, the simplest games are often the most powerful. Peek-a-boo, dancing in the kitchen, chasing each other in the yard — these aren’t just laughs, they’re building blocks of security.

Routines Build Safety

Toddlers thrive when they know what to expect. Singing the same bedtime song, reading the same book again (and again), praying together before naps — all these little rituals become anchors. They whisper, “You are safe. You are loved. You can trust me.”

Staying Steady in the Storm

And then there are tantrums. Big ones. Over bananas that broke in half, socks that feel “wrong,” or wanting the blue cup instead of the red one. As hard as it is in the moment, these storms are opportunities to build connection too. When we kneel down, meet their eyes, and stay calm, we’re showing them that their big feelings don’t scare us away. That’s trust in action.

Faith in the Everyday

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14). He didn’t ask them to be perfectly behaved first — He welcomed them as they were. As parents, we can echo that same grace. Even in the tantrums, even in the mess, even when the Cheerios are all over the floor, we can choose to welcome our children with patience and love.

Encouragement for You

You don’t need Pinterest-perfect crafts or Instagram-worthy routines to bond with your toddler. You just need presence, patience, and a willingness to be silly. Because in the end, your toddler doesn’t remember how spotless the house was. They remember you.

So today — build the fort. Read the story again. Laugh at the silly knock-knock joke. Because trust is being built in those small, ordinary moments that mean the world to your child.

✨ Listen Now: Episode 3 — Toddler Time: Building Trust Through Play is live on the What Makes My Kid Cry Today podcast. 🎧

💬 I’d love to hear from you — what’s your toddler’s funniest playtime or blame-game story? Share it in the comments below!