Dealing with a tantrum is every mum’s worst nightmare. Whether it’s at home or in public, it can be frustrating to deal with. That doesn’t mean nothing can be done. Here are 4 effective ways to deal with toddler tantrums.
Remain Calm
Getting embroiled in the tantrum isn’t going to help you or your child and will just leave you feeling stressed and exhausted. Remind yourself that it’s not a battle of the wills and take a deep breath to keep hold of your cool.
Speaking calmly to a tantruming toddler is often easier said than done, but if you can get it right it will go a long way to restoring harmony in your toddler’s life. More often than not the aim of a tantrum is to get your attention – whether that’s positive or negative attention is irrelevant – and so by keeping a calm and reassuring tone of voice demonstrates that you won’t let it get to you. If you can convey calm and remain in control, your toddler will soon realise that their behaviour isn’t going to get to you.
Ignore them
When looking for effective ways to deal with toddler tantrums, this is perhaps the number one method. Tantrums are a way for toddlers to communicate their frustration, their anger or because they’re simply tired. When you’re faced with a toddler in the midst of a tantrum, ignore them, let them get it all out of their system.
By giving your child space, they’re able to vent whatever emotions triggered the tantrum and then regain self-control. Attempting to reason with them or intervene won’t actually help. It’s far better to just let them ride it out and once they’ve calmed down, you can both move on.
Find out the cause
This is definitely easier than it sounds but one of the most effective ways to deal with toddler tantrums. If you’re able to find the cause of the problem, then you’re in a position to solve it.
However, having said that, communication with a toddler can be difficult at the best of times. With a limited vocabulary and the undeveloped brain power to put more than a few words together at a time, it can be incredibly frustrating.
Teaching your child some basic sign language could be one solution around this problem and help you to find the cause of the tantrum much quicker.
Keep your smile
It may not sound like the most constructive piece of advice but it really does work. Every mum hates the public meltdown and there is nothing worse than feeling like you’re being branded a bad mum by those around you. The problem with tantrums is that children are super smart and that means you’re toddler is likely to realise a tantrum is a means to an end more quickly than you can put a stop to it.
Keeping a smile on your face and remaining in control not only tells your child that you won’t give in, but it will also ensure that those around you are admiring your self-control.
Resources:
http://www.madeformums.com/toddler-and-preschool/jo-frosts-top-tips-for-toddler-tantrums/19297.html
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/discipline/tantrum/tame-your-kids-tantrums/view-all/
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