Tantrums start to occur when the child is between the ages of 1 and 4. These tantrums may occur because this is a time when children are learning to communicate and when they are unable to communicate the way they want they may become frustrated and throw a tantrum. Another reason for a tantrum is your child not getting what they want and they feel if they throw a tantrum you will cave in and give them what they want. Although temper tantrums are normal during this stage when they start to become out of control and occur often that is when the parent has to become stern and take more control.
Over the years I have seen kids yell to the top of their lungs, fall out, hold their breath amongst other things and it drives me nuts as the parents are the ones suffering. Tantrums can be very stressful and embarrassing for the parent so I dug up some research on this issue and brought to you pointers on how to tame those tantrums.
Popular Tantrum Techniques:
- Constant crying and screaming
- Holding His or Her Breath
- Hitting
- Kicking
- Stomping
- Throwing Things
Tantrum triggers usually occur with anything out of the norm for your child. For instance, a new environment may trigger a tantrum. Below are some tips on how to stop the tantrum.
- Keep your temper in check because if your yelling and your child is throwing a fit it will get you no where. Instead calmly but firmly tell your child that the tantrum is unacceptable behavior and will not get them anywhere.
- Don't cave in to their demands. If you cave in and give them want they want while they are acting up they will do this every single time they want something that you are not willing to give at the beginning.
- Don't spank your child as it will only make the tantrum worse.
- If your child is at the point of being inconsolable hold them tightly and tell them you love them and you are there for them but their behavior will not get them what they want.
- If all else fails take your child away from the situation and put them in a time out so they can calm down. The timeout should equal to one minute per year of the child's age.
Ways to Avoid a Tantrum
- Distract your child- When you see your child is about to go into tantrum mode, distract them with something they enjoy.
- Give your child some control- Ex: letting them pick what sandwich they want for lunch will make them feel like they have some control in their own little lives.
- Keep your daily routines consistent- when a change is about to occur give your child a warning in regards to the change.
- Make sure your child is fed and well rested.
- Put away off limit items.
- Teach your child- teach your child to deal with frustration through communication and not screaming. Remind them that the more they scream the less you are able to help them.
- Praise your child when a frustration occurs but they try to communicate instead of throwing a tantrum.
If your child is still throwing tantrums after age 4 and you think they may hurt themselves or someone else this is when it's time to get professional help.
Tame those tantrums ladies.
Stay Fab!
