14 Temper Tantrum Tricks from Real Parents

Source:https://www.parents.com/

Temper tantrums, though unpleasant, are a normal developmental phase and occur due to unmet needs or desires. They can manifest as whining, screaming, kicking, hitting, and crying, reflecting a child’s frustration and anger. While tantrums are a natural part of childhood, they don’t have to be accepted as a standard aspect of parenting.

Here are 14 ways you can cope with (and manage) temper tantrums:

Try a Time-Out: When her 16-month-old is having a meltdown, the parent places her in a chair and gently holds her to help her calm down. Since young children may struggle to self-soothe, the parent encourages deep breathing and waits until the child is calm enough to discuss the situation.

Give Them a Squeeze: To handle her daughter’s tantrums, the parent gives her big hugs, which often helps calm her down. This approach requires the parent to manage her own temper, but it creates a sense of safety and love for the child. After the hug, they can discuss the issue that triggered the tantrum more rationally.

Look the Other Way: When her 2-year-old throws a tantrum, the parent chooses to ignore it, as the child tends to stop when she doesn’t receive attention. When the child expresses frustration by stomping and screaming, the parent encourages her to calm down and use words. This approach has been effective so far.

Offer an Alternative: The parent’s 21-month-old becomes frustrated when he can’t do what his 5-year-old brother does, sometimes resorting to banging his head on the floor. Initially concerned, the parent tried giving him a pillow, but that often made him more upset. The effective approach was acknowledging his frustration and suggesting an alternative activity, like reading a book, which helped him stop the behavior.

Never Give In: When her 4-year-old throws a tantrum for a cookie, the parent firmly refuses to give in. If the behavior persists, the child loses other privileges as well. As a result, the child has learned that tantrums and meltdowns won’t be effective, leading to fewer outbursts.

Give Your Child an Ultimatum: When her 3-year-old misbehaves, the parent reminds him of an upcoming fun activity, like a playdate or park trip, and warns that bad behavior could lead to canceling the outing. This strategy usually helps him calm down quickly.

Keep Them Busy: To prevent her 5-year-old from acting out in stores, the parent keeps him engaged with activities and tasks, such as finding items, holding objects, and identifying colors. This keeps his mind busy and distracted, reducing the chances of a tantrum.

Find the Fun: When her 6-year-old resists demands, the parent finds that being forceful leads to tantrums. Instead, she redirects him by turning the task into a game, making it fun and engaging, which encourages his cooperation.

Change the Location: When her 3-year-old has a tantrum, the parent picks him up and takes him to another room or his crib for a time-out. This removal from the source of the meltdown often helps stop the tantrum, and holding him provides comfort to help him calm down.

Encourage Gestures: The parent’s 22-month-old has tantrums lasting up to 20 minutes, often due to difficulty expressing wants, like asking for a movie. The parent encourages her to show what she wants by pointing, which improves communication over time. For instance, if she points to her older brother, it indicates he’s taken something from her, allowing the parent to intervene and prevent prolonged meltdowns.

Use Distractions: The parent keeps her purse stocked with distractions like toys, books, and snacks to help prevent meltdowns. By using these items, she can often divert her children’s attention and avoid major outbursts if she acts quickly.

Let Them See: The parent’s 3-year-old daughter has tantrums over minor issues, often screaming and throwing herself on the floor. The parent responds by sending her to her room to calm down, where she watches herself in the mirror. After about five minutes, this helps her settle down and end the tantrum.

Act Silly: When her 4-year-old starts to tantrum at home, the parent sings a silly song loudly, which captures the child’s attention and makes her laugh. This approach effectively diffuses the situation and turns a negative moment into a positive one.

Count Down: When her son Aiden has a tantrum, the parent addresses the behavior immediately by explaining what he is doing wrong while maintaining eye contact. He then goes to time-out without distractions, where they count to 26 (his age in months) together. This approach helps address the tantrum while also teaching him to count. If he remains upset after counting, they start over.

Read More: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/14-temper-tantrum-tricks-from-real-parents/

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