Understand Toddler Tantrums Before You Regret It.

Even with experience, sudden tantrums from a toddler can send anyone into quite a shock. Toddler tantrums are almost unavoidable, and this is primarily due to their inability to express their emotions. Toddlers feel those big emotions too, and since they cannot help themselves or bottle in their feelings, they let out their feelings in one big cry or yell and become a mess of themselves for you and everyone around.

How do you survive your toddler’s tantrums?

Whisper, instead of yelling.

You don’t deal with a tantrum with another tantrum. Whenever your toddler is making all that noise, try and say some encouraging words in a soft whisper or say some “knock-knock” jokes whisperingly too. Chances are, they will lower their voice, so they can hear whatever it is you are saying to them.

Try the Ignore Method

Tantrums vary in toddlers. In some toddlers, the more attention they get, the more that their tantrum is fueled. DO NOT GIVE IN. If you know attention wouldn’t calm your child’s tantrum and you are in a place where they cannot run off in anger or get hurt, ignore them till they keep quiet. Although this move is not the best, however, if it works with your child, why not?

Distract them

Another way of navigating through their tantrums is by distracting them. Once they start, turn on the music and start dancing. Do different styles and make it look like you’re having a lot of fun. He or she might want to join in the dancing and forget the initial tantrum they were throwing. If you don’t feel up to dancing, get some crayons and start coloring in a book. You can also start playing with toys or anything to make your child feel like there are better things to do than throw tantrums.

Stand your ground

If your toddler is ready to go into a fit of rage over his/her preference of ice cream for breakfast instead of the pancakes you have made already, don’t argue or get angry. Just explain why the choice of breakfast is pancakes and why it has to be so. If he/she insists, you should insist too. He/she will eventually understand that it has to be breakfast and that ice cream will have to come some other time.

Use the opportunity to teach your toddler the right words to express their feelings.

Toddlers throw tantrums for a single reason – the inability to express what they feel in words. You can use that moment your child is showing his/her rage to add new words to his/her vocabulary. You can tell him/her, “You look upset.” After a couple of times, they will be able to communicate to you when they are feeling upset and could eventually reduce the occurrence of throwing tantrums.

Let them know that you understand how they feel.

For every time your toddler gets frustrated by something, for example, having, you should let them know that you understand how they feel. Rather than saying things like, “you have to wait,” or “stop crying, it’s not your turn yet,” say things like, “I know it’s not easy to wait.” Validate their feelings instead of condemning them. What they are feeling is normal, they cannot express it properly, so they cry and throw tantrums instead. Let them know that you are on their side and that you are with them against the world. It will help them handle their feelings better.

Bribe them with snacks or cuddle

Your little one throwing tantrums may be because he/she is tired or hungry. Offer a snack or one on one quality time to make them feel loved and understood. Even adults can get frustrated when they are tired; you should not expect anything different in little children.

Prevention is better than trying to survive it.

Take, for instance, you are going shopping to buy groceries with your toddler. Before leaving home, tell them that you will not be buying any candy or toys and they should agree with that. This will prevent any tantrums when you get to the store as you will remind them of their earlier-promised goals. Now, this may not always work! If they throw a tantrum in public, remove them from the situation immediately or walk away. When you walk away, they will most likely come running after you.

Summing up

Tantrums make an essential part of the growth of a toddler, and you cannot avoid it entirely unless you are prepared. With enough preparations, you can manage and survive them.