Toddlers and tantrums go hand-in-hand — here’s the foolproof way keep your cool and calm down your little one
Knowing how to handle a child's tantrum can be daunting when screams and cries are thrown your way
EVERY parent knows that toddlers and tantrums go hand in hand.
Luckily there are a few tricks you can use to keep your cool – and Junior’s too. Here, parenting expert Anna Williamson tells Bella Battle her foolproof guide to stopping a strop in its tracks.
1. DISTRACT THEM: Tantrums are often triggered by not being able to get something, with “I want” regularly ringing in the ears of every parent in Britain.
But children have active imaginations and can be very fickle.
So divert their attention as quickly as possible by distracting them with a toy, an impression or simply just pointing to something in their eyeline, such as a dog, a train or an aeroplane.
2. KEEP CALM: A sure-fire way to make a tantrum ten times worse is to mirror your child’s temper and volume. It can be so difficult not to snap and tell them off, but often this only fuels the tantrum and creates more of a fiery situation.
The aim is to get them to mirror your behaviour, so keep calm and try to reason with them.
Explain that until they stop, you won’t be able to understand them properly or help them.
3. ASK, LISTEN, TALK: Children are far more emotionally intelligent than we often give them credit for. Ask your child what’s wrong, be aware of their verbal and non-verbal cues – are they telling you something has upset them, or perhaps they are in pain?
Calmly listen and talk to them about how you can help to solve the problem.
Sometimes kids just need to vent and be listened to without being told off for it.
4. OFFER A CHOICE: How many parents face the vegetable- versus-chocolate predicament? You want your child to eat green stuff, they want to eat sweet stuff, so a stand-off ensues.
Avoid a battle of wills and keep control by offering them a choice, where ultimately you win.
For example: “Would you like broccoli or carrots? You only have to pick one.” They will enjoy being allowed to make a choice and not feel cornered into a “no option” scenario.
Praising their “good choice” adds even more positive reinforcement.
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