Toddler Tantrums

They are called the Terrible Twos and Terrifying Threes for a reason! One of the biggest reason being TANTRUMS. One of the most challenging aspects of the growing up years for a toddler as well as the parents! And while the toddlers throw tantrums, parents (mostly mommies staying with kids 24X7 have their own moments called – meltdowns).

Quite often, people say/think things like – why can’t you make him understand?

Toddlers will throw tantrums. They will test our limits and patience and sanity. Chances are they will not understand our reasoning and logic. They’re still figuring themselves out, still exploring their emotions. It’s a lot more challenging for them than for us. They didn’t read a manual before they arrived in our world. At least we had the luxury to be counseled by experienced moms, family, and internet on what to expect. Not them, not these children.

But sometimes, managing these tantrums take can a toll on the managing-parent as well. Mostly, we are able to control the situation with oodles of patience and love. But there are moments for the mommy or daddy when the patience is low and emotions are riding high and the parent “losing it” at the child once in a while.

There is no magic mantra for making the tantrums disappear. But there are ways of managing your own emotions when they get the better of you.

HOW?

1. STEP AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF CONFLICT.

Distance gives you clarity. With a baby and solo parenting, it may not be always possible for one to step out for a stroll, go grab a coffee, etc. But even stepping away (of course ensuring the baby’s safe) to a different room can help. The idea is to detach yourself physically and give yourself a few seconds. That’s all it takes to neutralize those overwhelming moments of emotions. It takes only a few seconds for your anger to dissipate. If you can manage those crucial seconds, half the battle is already won. I know because I have been actively practicing this with my 2.5-year-old son.

2. GIVE YOURSELF TIME

Once you’ve stepped away, give yourself time and space. Breathe. Meditate. Even a few seconds help. Remind yourself, the reason for your frustration is a child who doesn’t know what or why is he feeling those emotions too.

Do whatever you find therapeutic (if possible) – Go for a walk, Listen to music, Read, Clean, Reorganize, Water the plants, Paint, Cook, Watch your favourite series or movie, Solve a puzzle, Play Sudoku 😉

3. REFLECT

It is easier to control your own emotions than any other person’s, even your own baby’s. So now with a much calmer mind, ask yourself how could you have handled that scene/conversation/situation better. Was that broken piece of cutlery or the torn book or the wet floor more important? Or was understanding the child’s needs more critical? I am not saying do not discipline your child. But pick the right time to do the “talking”. And a tantrum-in-progress is not the best of times.

4. TALK

With a better control of your own emotions, you will be in a better space to try and make your child understand.

The first step is often the most difficult. Those few seconds can make or break the situation. And anyway, as the cliché goes “This too shall pass”. They will not be kids forever.

Oh, the tantrums might continue! Just the reason might change. There’s the Frightening Fours, Fearful Five, and what not! Once a parent, always a parent. You are in it for life! Enjoy this ride! 😉

“Tantrums are not bad behavior. Tantrums are an expression of emotion that became too much for the child to bear. No punishment is required. What your child needs is compassion and safe, loving arms to unload in.”
― Rebecca Eanes, The Newbie’s Guide to Positive Parenting

If you found this post helpful, do check out my views on why inculcating values in children early on is important, Read here.

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28 thoughts on “Toddler Tantrums”

Good tips on how to handle toddler tantrums! I remember the difficult times I had with my daughter – she would throw a tantrum at the drop of a hat. It was unbelievably shocking. There were times when I buckled into the pressure and shouted at her only to feel worse later on. Thankfully, that phase is behind us.

Could not agree more to this post, being a mum of twin toddlers. Very well penned. Please read mine at http://www.vartikasdiary.com

pretty informative post. My kids are much older though. Yet as the saying goes we are all moms forever.

toddlers do at times throw such tantrums it’s very essential to break this habit and deal with it properly. great tips

I feel really lucky here as my 2.7 yo boy rarely shows any tantrums. And the ones he expresses are handled very delicately by us. I believe it’s more about the parents than kids when it comes to temper tantrums. Kids will be kids, they will do what they have to do for their own learning and exploring sake. But what we parents forget is accepting the fact that things will go wrong while raising children and there is no better way than to accept this fact. Moreover, the chances of losing our cool goes back to our own mindset at that time, may be some stress going on or a bad situation at work etc which can turn a really small situation into a big mess.And I agree to all the points that you have mentioned here, it’s always better to calm yourself down before talking to the child. Kids also tend to take up stress cues from their parents which we often neglect.

Nice set of four points to handle situations when your toddler is really giving you a tough time. You are right, some of their antics can be extremely trying but then toddlers are innocent and we have to keep that fact uppermost in our minds. Excellent post and great tips. #JaiSReads #MyFriendAlexa

Oh the stories I have heard of me throwing a tantrum because I couldn’t get a teddy bear that was double my size! My mom had a simple policy – ignoring. It always worked on me.

I am dealing with two three year olds and all I can say is that one has tantrums and the other has sulks. It is far easier to deal with the sulky kid but dealing with the tantrum can be exhausting! I think the only way to deal with it is the good old fashioned smack on the bottom though I haven’t resorted to it since these toddlers are my grandchildren…..

Terrible two’s and terrifying three’s indeed. Great post!

Toddler tantrums are not easy to handle. Your son is very cute. Lovely post.

Oh i totally need this. We are having the terrible 2s and terrifying 3s all at the same time. And losing my mind. But i have personally seen that this is a time to help them understand why they feel, behave and act the way they do. It helps us most of the time. Not always though.

though I am way past this phase, but i must say its quite an informative post for mothers of toddlers.

Great blog, very useful for new moms to know that you are not alone!

Though I am way past the stage of dealing with terrible twos, I must say its a great post to help mothers maintain their sanity.

Yup – tantrums are quite tiring and exhausting for the parent! I have a 17 and 12 year old and still remember all their terrible twos and threes – but they are amused by the memories! 🙂

I am in fearful five phase you see. very true tantrums never vanish, they just change face. A nice post to deal with them without losing one’s cool.
#mannreads

I have a niece and I can totally understand the points now we get to meet often. Should forward this to my brother and sister-in-law!

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Amazing post love it..

Really Helpful, being a mother of Drama Queen, its totally relatable.

Rightly said Tantrum continues even after the children grow. Actually the nature of tantrum rockets to new high. Your tips on managing the tantrum and our own emotions are practical.

Joy! Cookie has been a TWO year old for two days and the tantrums are here. Let’s hope this time passes by quickly.

Most Important thing to handle tantrums is PATIENCE and lot of patience. However some do-able points mentioned here.
#MyFriendAlexa #momlearningwithbaby

Great post and I know it is hard to handel. now my girls are big but I had a tough experience while dealing with toddler tantrums. #surbhireads #myfriendalexa

I too have some toddlers around me and can totally relate with it.

Ah toddler tantrums? Wait till they become teenagers, YO and finally grown kids who scream back at you! I have commented earlier on this post. Am suprised it doesn’t show up.