There comes a time in every parents life where they have to deal with tantrums. Once you are a parent you understand a bit better on how sometimes getting control of a situation seems to be easier said than done.
The only valuable advice I can provide other parents is to keep calm. Similar to other situations in life, keeping calm will help you deal with a toddler tantrum a lot better.
Most of my daughter’s tantrums are triggered by the fact that her geeky parents (especially me) want to immerse her in technology. She has been playing with an iPad since she was three months old.
We would be able to take away any item (or gadget) and our daughter would move on and go to the next thing.
Lately she has been throwing small tantrums when she wants something and does not get it immediately. I did some research in trying to find a solution and I found two articles which where very helpful. Our common sense has been to remove her from the situation that caused the tantrum as quickly as possible; we also confirmed this is a good approach.
Before removing your child from the situation it is critical to identify if the child is:
- Hungry
- Tired
- Over-Stimulated
- Frustrated
- Pleas for Attention
Dr. Sears recommends keeping a tantrum journal to see what sets him off. Maybe an application like Evernote on your phone can facilitate making note of these. (Reference – http://www.parenting.com/article/ask-dr-sears-intolerable-toddler-tantrums)
Independence vs dependence.
In my case, my daughter’s can-do attitude only worsens the situation when I try doing stuff for her. She reminds me that I am there to help her. That way she learns how to do it and it becomes beneficial to all parties.
“Ayuda”
One of the first words we have been helping my daughter understand is “Ayuda” (which means help in Spanish). This might be a way to defuse the situation and allow her to ask for help before she becomes frustrated.
Tag Your Teammate
I remember when I watched the WWF (now WWE) when I was a kid. My favorite events were when it was tag team wrestling. When a wrestler got tired or into trouble, he would tag his partner who usually was in a better state to take care of business. On some occasions you might need the help of those who are around you. If you are a single parent, I tip my hat off to you. For single parents maybe a family member or close friend can come in an assist.
As other professionals mentioned in the sources we share below, they emphasize that tantrums are a completely normal part of the Toddler’s development.
Any tips on how you deal with your Toddler Tantrums?
Would love to continue sharing ideas in the comments area!
External Sources
- Your 17-month-old’s behavior: Self-control — or lack thereof
- Toddler Tantrums – Dealing with Toddler Temper Tantrums