The other day I was at the mall there my daughter threw a major tantrum she lay on the floor, crying and at the same time rolling on the floor. People were staring at me and thinking about why I am not doing something about it. I let her whining, screaming for ten good minutes after that she stopped, she came to me I hugged, gave her some water to drink just for brief 10 seconds (that is all I got to make her listen before she diverts her attention to something else) I explained to her it is not a way to demand for something. The reason behind this outburst was she wanted me to get her a new stuff toy teddy bear she got already four! I do not believe in buying everything to her whenever she demands it.
Kids are big on showing their emotions, in fact, this is the only they know to express their feelings or let us what know what they want. Emotions are neither good or bad, they simply are. Instead of giving up or give in to their momentary desires to avoid a tantrum, try to acknowledge the underlying issue, talk to them, offer them a hug. They are just little humans with big emotions.
Following are some useful tactics to deal with toddler tantrums:
- Time and Attention: Children crave for their parent’s love and affection. They need lots of hugs, kisses, eye contact, and physical affection. Giving your kid attention isn’t hard and does not require in buying expensive toys, it can be simply dancing with them on their favorite nursery rhyme, reading a book, playing with them. Just make time for them. All they need to know that they are loved and you are here for them.
- Praise: Praising is simply expressing your support and appreciation for something they have done. It helps your child feel loved, appreciated, and noticed. One of the easiest ways to get your children to act kindly, behave and in line with your boundaries is to praise them when they are doing something good.
- Purposeful Communication: Children have short attention of span, so it makes hard to make them understand what they did wrong. The only solution is using the short helpful phrase, which is quick and effective for example: “You can do it by yourself, it is okay to be nervous.”
- Encouraging Security Not Insecurity: When children do not know what we are expecting from them or what their boundaries are they feel insecure.
All they need to know is what we are expecting from them. Discipline is not a focus on what is wrong but it is a process of teaching children what is right, and best for them.