Temper tantrums are a parent’s nightmare. They can make you feel like you’re at the mercy of your child when they happen. However, contrary to what you might think, your child isn’t screaming at the top of their lungs to punish you or manipulate you. Temper tantrums are a child’s way of showing their frustration. It’s your responsibility as a parent and adult to know how to deal with them in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Here are some ways you can deal with temper tantrums in children.
1. Teach Your Child To Communicate
As mentioned, temper tantrums are your child’s way of communicating with you the best way they know. Since they’re young, they haven’t yet developed effective communication skills which only makes it more frustrating for them to tell you how they feel. Teaching them how to communicate at a young age can help them express themselves better. Tips For Travelling With Children
2. Wait It Out
You’ve probably read or heard people say that you should let your child cry. It sounds cruel, right? Not really. When your child throws tantrums, don’t be quick to give them your attention. This only encourages the behaviour. Additionally, trying to calm them doesn’t always go well. The key is to stay calm, give it time, then respond appropriately.
3. Respond To Their Emotions
One of the most effective ways to deal with temper tantrums is learning how to respond appropriately. No, cuddling them or caving to their demands are not appropriate responses. On the other hand, you shouldn’t be harsh towards them. Once they calm down, let them know that you understand their frustration then offer a solution. For instance, you can say, “I get upset too,” or “It’s okay to be angry but let’s be gentle,”. Saying positive phrases open up conversation and make your child feel safe and loved.
4. Praise Cooperative Behaviour
Don’t make them feel bad about throwing a tantrum. Instead, try to encourage them to cooperate in a positive manner. You can invite them to help you clean if they have made a mess. When they cooperate, praise them for it. However, if they keep bringing up the reason they threw a tantrum, ignore their pleas. This lets them know what kind of behaviour is acceptable and will get your approval. Eventually, they’ll associate good behaviour with positive affirmations.
5. Stand Your Ground
You may feel tempted to give your child what they demand just to restore peace or avoid feeling embarrassed in public. However, this shows them that they can get away with bad behaviour. It’s important to differentiate between wants and needs. Your child may throw a tantrum because they’re hungry or tired. These are needs that should be tended to. If they get upset because of something that isn’t necessary, it’s okay to stand your ground.
6. Provide Negative Consequences
Your child needs to learn that negative actions have negative consequences. Ignoring them is a great way to reduce tantrums. This is actually one of the best ways to deal with tantrums. Remember that yelling at the child while they’re throwing a tantrum only makes things worse. You can also put them in time out or take away something that they love such as a toy or tech gadgets if it’s warranted. Try to talk to them before punishing them.
Check out Tips On Helping Your Toddler Develop and Parenting: How To Help Children Set Effective Goals
