Let’s face it every kid will test his or her parents. It’s almost like a rite of passage. Tantrums are a way that kids test you and boy can they test you! Think of it as a power struggle. While your child is having a meltdown, the most important thing that you can do is to remain calm and composed. Make sure that your body language and the tone in your voice exude confidence and control. If you seem overwhelmed or out of control, your child will quickly pick up on it. Here are some simple tips that will give you the upper hand when it comes to tantrums.
- If your child is not causing danger to himself or others…ignore your child’s tantrum.
- The only thing that you should tell your child at this point is that when he/she stops crying and is ready to use his/her words then you can both talk.
- Once your child has calmed down, offer your child juice/water and remind your child what you had asked him/her to do or stop doing. i.e. Put toys away, stop touching something, etc. whatever had set him/her off. Don’t nag or discuss the tantrum, just simply state in a calm voice what you need your child to do.
- Do NOT coddle your child now. Your child should not get positive attention after he or she has disobeyed you.
- Once your child has completed the task that you had assigned or stopped the behavior, thank your child for the corrected action and move on with your day.
Now that your child sees that tantrums don’t rattle you into giving in, your child will realize that tantrums don’t pay off. This will decrease and hopefully eliminate tantrums all together.
