The “Terrible Twos” How to Deal with Tantrums
It’s inevitable. Toddlers will throw tantrums. Whether you find yourself dealing with just a few or you’ve got a real tantrum type child, the way you deal with them makes a big difference in the outcome. It’s not easy, but you can and will get through what seems like moments of sheer torture. While it may take some time for success, try these tips when dealing with cases of toddler tantrums.
Stay Calm
When your child goes into tantrum mode, you may panic yourself. Your first inclination may be to raise your voice, grab your child, or basically freak out. This will only exacerbate the situation. Your child may expect you to feel the way he does – frustrated and upset. If your demeanor reveals even a hint of such emotions, your child will pick up on it and may continue on with his tantrum because he’s seeing a reaction. Despite your instincts, try to stay calm. Speak softly and hold your child gently. You may even try ignoring his behavior for a few moments to see if the volatility dies down. Your sense of peace and tranquility will help the tantrum run its course much better than if you entertain his irrational outburst.
Remove Yourself and Your Toddler from the Area
Depending upon where the tantrum happens, if it goes on too long, your best bet is to move to another location so you do not disturb those around you. It may be a battle to get your child off the floor or from flailing around, but you will have to contain the behavior. Once you are in a new location, this in itself may change your child’s mood. Try to get him to lie down or sit still. Hug him close and tell him he will be OK. He must understand that in order to get back to where you just were, he needs to stop crying and screaming. He will get tired of the fuss, and calmly, you can both get back to what you were doing previously.
Bring Along a Trusty Smile-Maker
Always have a secret weapon in your back pocket (or handbag). Don’t let your child know you’ve brought along a favorite doll, toy, or electronic device for him to play with. If he throws a tantrum and all else fails, now’s the time to whip out this special calm-down item. He will be happy to see a treat and it will divert his attention to something else. If he keeps acting out though, he will get the smile-maker taken away. The next time you head out, remind him that in order to get his special treat, he must behave the whole time. This is a good training and teaching tool for your child.
How do you deal with toddler tantrums? Have you ever had a major meltdown and nothing worked? We’d love to share your stories in order to help other parents like you.
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By: Melissa A. Kay
