Mandy Moore's Honest Take on the 'Not Sustainable' Toddler Phase

A fun fact—when Mandy Moore speaks, people listen! It's not merely because of her impressive profile but because of how she brings unfiltered honesty to parenting that moms and dads from everywhere could relate to. Recently, ‘This is us’ star, Mandy Moore, shared another refreshing perspective on the ‘not sustainable’ toddler phase. And if you ever spent some time exploring it, you would probably know what she means.

If not, this article is for you. The truth is—while parenting has countless adorable moments, it's also a battle of sleepless nights and those toddler tantrums. But why is the toddler phase defined as ‘unsustainable.’? Read this article to find your answer and how to survive this unsustainable toddler phase.

Toddlers—a blend of curious and fearless individuals often having a vocabulary of ‘no’,’ ‘mine,’ and endless dramatic sobbing. And for Mandy Moore, life with her two sons, Gus and Ozzie, was a mix of joy, chaos, and ultimate exhaustion.

In a recent interview, she described this phase as ‘not sustainable.’ And there’s no hiding why; she’s got a point! The reality is parenting toddlers demands endless energy and patience. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics reported that parents with toddlers have the highest levels of stress compared to other parenting stages.

The other truth is toddlers can instantly turn from laughing to meltdowns in the time it takes you to say, ‘We’re out of candies.’ Even Mandy Moore accepted that managing her career along with the responsibilities of parenting a toddler is nothing less than a marathon. This is not a single case. In fact, statistics show that it's the case with most parents out. According to the Journal of Marriage and Family, almost 68 percent of parents with toddlers feel chronically tired. And perhaps if you think about an average day with a toddler—naps, picky eating, and endless Baby Shark watch time—this number exceeds further.

However, fortunately, this phase is temporary too! And the other aspect that some may believe is—they grow up, often too fast!

Surviving the toddler phase is not easy. Even though Mandy’s honesty about the toddler phase is refreshing, it's also your reminder that you’re not alone. Here are a few tips on how you can deal with the toddler chaos.

The thing is—your home will not look Pinterest-perfect every time. That’s okay! Therefore, the best approach is to accept the chaos. After all, your little explorers are naturally the way they are, which often means messes. This single step can help you stress less and enjoy more.

Toddlers need routines and boundaries, and they, of course, will leave no stone unturned in testing them. But, honestly, consistency helps them feel secure, and saying a firm ‘no’ will not make you a bad guy in their story; rather, it makes you the parent.

Mandy Moore, in her interview, shares how her support system—whether a partner, grandparent, or friend—can actually help you feel recharged. And taking just 30 minutes for yourself can make a big difference.

The next time your toddler eats a vegetable, that’s a win! Celebrate. Or if they go a full day without any meltdown. That’s a win too. Celebrate. After, these small wins are something that count up to unforgettable memories.

Perhaps the toddler phase is similar to a comedy show where your little one keeps changing the script. Tiring, unpredictable, and sometimes, straight hilarious—this is what parenting toddlers feels like. Mandy Moore’s approach brings in a fresh vibe for the parents who are struggling with their parents. While this phase may feel 'not sustainable ‘ at times, it's also a phase that will pass away too quickly, quite faster than what you may think. Also read our interesting article on some genius hacks to stop toddler tantrums.