Ask Dr. Mona

At 2 years old, frustration can come on fast. Your daughter is old enough to want independence and have strong opinions, but still very much learning how to communicate, problem-solve, and tolerate things not going the way she hoped. So when she yells or cries, it means her feelings are bigger than her coping skills in that moment.

You’re already doing something important by naming the feeling and helping her try again, but when toddlers are really upset, too much talking can sometimes feel overwhelming.

When she starts to get frustrated, try slowing the moment down:

1. Name what you see. Keep it short and simple:
“You’re frustrated. The block won’t fit. I’m here.”

2. Pause. This pause is important. It gives her a moment to process the feeling and decide whether she can try again. It also shows her that you trust she can work through a hard moment with you nearby.

3. Offer one small next step. If she’s still able to engage, you can say something like:
“Try turning it this way.”
“Do you want to try once more, or do you want help?”

It can also help to practice frustration when she’s calm. You can model it during everyday moments by saying, “Oops, that didn’t work. I’m going to take a breath and try again.” Toddlers learn so much from watching us work through minor frustrations. And when you see her make even a tiny effort before melting down, name that: “You tried again. That was hard, and you kept going.”

If she escalates into yelling or crying, the main goal is to stay as calm and steady as you can while keeping her safe. She is borrowing your regulation in those moments, and that can be hard because most adults are still strengthening their own frustration tolerance too. Over time, with repetition and support, she will start to learn that frustration is uncomfortable, but it is something she can move through.

For more on teaching frustration tolerance, check out this PedsDocTalk newsletter. And for additional strategies, listen to this PedsDocTalk podcast episode about managing frustration and helpful steps to support these moments.

You are definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed by sunscreen options. There are so many products, and then the online conversation around “toxic sunscreen” can make it feel like one more thing to worry about. A simple place to start is this: look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30–50 that is water-resistant and contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These are mineral sunscreen ingredients, which sit on top of the skin and are often a great option for babies and young children, especially if they have sensitive skin.

As for concerns about “toxic” ingredients, some ingredients like oxybenzone have raised questions and concerns. That’s one reason many families prefer mineral sunscreens, but it’s also important not to panic. If you're curious about how kids’ sunscreens are developed, the real differences between mineral and chemical formulas, concerns about ingredients like oxybenzone, and how to apply sunscreen effectively, this podcast episode breaks it all down.

For babies under 6 months, the main focus is shade, lightweight protective clothing, brimmed hats, stroller canopies, umbrellas, and avoiding peak sun hours when possible. If shade and clothing are not enough, a small amount of SPF 30+ sunscreen can be used on exposed areas like the hands, cheeks, or feet. Once babies are over 6 months, sunscreen can become part of the regular outdoor routine on exposed skin.

A few practical tips to make sunscreen easier:

• Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outside when you can. If that doesn’t happen every time, it’s okay. Do your best.

• Reapply every two hours, or sooner if your child is swimming, sweating, or being towel-dried (follow application directions on the packaging).

• Don’t forget the sneaky spots, like ears, the back of the neck, tops of the hands, nose, cheeks, and the scalp where hair parts or whorls.

• If you use spray sunscreen, apply it outdoors, avoid spraying near the face, and rub it in well.

• If your child has sensitive skin or you’re trying a new product, patch test a small area first.

• Remember that sunscreen is only one part of sun protection. Shade, hats, UPF clothing, and breaks from the heat all help too.

If you’re staring at the sunscreen aisle and still feeling unsure, the PedsDocTalk Sunscreen Blog has product ideas, age-specific guidance, and simple tips to make sunscreen application easier.

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Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!