How to Handle Toddler Temper Tantrums

It’s your baby’s 5th birthday. She’s having more candies like it’s her last ones on earth. Then later you notice that she has started developing a sore throat. You forbid her from taking more candies. Suddenly is filled with fury and looks like she can chew you up and crush your bones without a second thought.

She falls on the floor and cries out loudly, making all her friends and their parents to turn and stare at her in surprise. You feel embarrassed and confused that you can’t forge your next step so as to calm her.
Most parents have been through an incident like this. The only difference is the form of the toddler temper tantrums; some babies may decide to cry, kick things, stomp or hit objects or throw them and holding breath. Toddler temper tantrums are the most common of all among children. Mostly starting from one year old to four years old.

How to Handle Toddler Temper Tantrums

The early stage of the tantrum is called the terrible 2s. It takes place when children are the stage of learning on how to communicate correctly. Most of the babies normally have this tantrum more than one time a week. It is a sign that they are frustrated with their lack of communication skills, thus they protest since they are not in a position to control anything.

Temper tantrums lead to discomfort among the parents. In case a parent notices that they occur occasionally, there is no need for alarm. But if they occur frequently, it’s high time for parents to find the cause and how to curb the tantrums.

Ways to manage a baby’s tantrum:

1. Stay cool: As you all know a child’s tantrum is followed by throwing, kicking, screaming and many more. It may be hard to control her. You should also note holding breath is among the tantrums too. When a child is throwing tantrum she is not able to listen or reason although if you yell at her she will respond (she responds to negative cues). The best way is to stay with her and avoid leaving the room. She may feel lonely and the emotional changes she’s going through may scare her. She will feel safer if you are around.
2. Be in control. Even if the tantrum stays for long don’t give in to your child’s demands or try to negotiate with her while she is still screaming. If you do, you will be teaching her throwing tantrums is the trick she can use to get what she wants. If you are in a crowd, move her away and take her to a quiet place and explain to her what she did wrong.
3. Show her you still love her: after she’s through with tantrums, and you have talked to her about it. You can give her a hug and tell her you love her. It’s a simple way to appreciate and reward good behavior
4. Be keen to observe symptoms of overstress. Day to day tantrums may be normal to toddlers. Although it’s a good idea to watch them for any possible problems. For instance presence of parental tensions can lead to more tantrums. If you observe intense tantrums on your baby, for example hurting others and herself. Its time you seek your doctor’s advice. He will help you effectively monitor, identify and treat the prolonged tantrums.
5. Identify toddler temper tantrums stimulating situations. Observe situations that make your child throw tantrums. For example, if she throws tantrum when hungry. It’s high time you carry her snacks all the time. If she is having trouble adjusting from one activity to another, you can form a way of informing her before introducing the activity. In case you notice she’s about to throw tantrum, you can distract her by changing the location or hand her a toy.