tame toddler tantrums
Toddler tantrums can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. It seems like no matter what you do; your child winds up throwing a fit. Tantrums can range from mild to full-blown meltdowns, which can occur anywhere and at any time.
This blog post will discuss some tips for dealing with toddler tantrums. We will also provide an ultimate guide to taming those wild toddlers!
How to Tame Toddler Tantrums
First, let’s talk about the causes of toddlers’ tantrums.
We will identify four common reasons why toddlers throw fits so that you can deal with them appropriately when they happen! There are many different triggers for toddlers to temper tantrums: hunger, boredom, tiredness, and frustration.
The first reason toddlers throw tantrums is that they are hungry.
When toddlers are hungry, their bodies release hormones that make them cranky and irritable. This means toddlers will often act out if left without food for too long! It’s essential to keep an eye on your child’s eating habits to prevent these types of tantrums. Make sure your child has a healthy snack or meal every two to three hours and offer them plenty of water throughout the day.
The second reason toddlers throw tantrums is that they are bored.
Keep toddlers occupied with activities like coloring books or playing games on your phone! Many toddlers have short attention spans, and when they are stuck in one place for too long, they can become agitated and restless.
The third reason toddlers throw tantrums is that they are tired.
It’s easy for toddlers to get overstimulated and cranky when they need to go down for a nap, but they don’t want one yet! Try keeping them busy by reading aloud or doing an activity that doesn’t require too much energy.
The fourth reason toddlers throw tantrums is that they are frustrated.
Many toddlers can get easily annoyed when things aren’t going their way, which often leads to a temper tantrum! Try giving your child choices so that they feel like they have some control over the situation.
All these things can trigger toddler temper tantrums, and it is essential to be prepared. If you can identify the triggers for your child’s tantrums, you will be able to deal with them more effectively when they happen.
Now that we know some of the reasons toddlers throw tantrums. Let’s discuss how to tame those wild kids!
We have put together an ultimate guide with 20 tips that should help you tame even the most ferocious toddlers!
Tip #1: make sure your child is getting enough sleep.
Toddlers are cranky when they haven’t had enough rest, so try to put them down for an early bedtime or take naps during the day if possible. It’s also important not to let toddlers get too tired because they will be less likely to have tantrums if they are well-rested.
Sleep will definitely help you tame toddler tantrums.
Tip #2: Give toddlers plenty of structure and routine.
Toddlers feel more secure when they know what is going to happen next, so try to stick to a regular schedule as much as possible. This includes mealtimes, nap times, and bedtime.
Tip #3: Give choices!
Toddlers can get frustrated if they feel like they don’t control what’s happening around them, so try giving your child options whenever possible. For example, instead of saying, “Do you want apple juice or milk?” Try asking, “What kind of drink do you want?”
Tip #4: Stay calm!
Toddlers can sense when their parents are getting frustrated, which will only worsen the tantrum. If you can remain calm and rational, your child is more likely to listen to you.
Tip #5: Distract with activities.
If they are having a tantrum because they are bored or restless, try to get them interested in something else. This could be anything from playing with a toy to reading a book aloud.
Tip #6: Give toddlers time-outs when necessary.
If your child is not responding to any of the other suggestions, it may be required to take them out of the situation and put them in a time-out.
Tip #7: Use praise!
This will help toddlers learn what behaviors are acceptable versus ones that should be avoided at all costs! Toddlers need positive reinforcement, so make sure that you give your child lots of hugs and kisses when they do something good.
Tip #8: Set Up Your Expectations Early
The younger your toddler is when you start to set up your expectations of them, the more likely you are to avoid tantrums altogether. Your child may not be able to learn all about sharing and waiting until they’re two years old, but a simple discussion goes a long way towards setting the stage for tantrums later.
Tip #9: Keep Your Child Well-Rested
Make sure your child gets enough sleep each night to avoid pesky, tantrum-inducing tiredness during the day. If you know your child gets cranky when they’re tired, make sure they get their naps or go to bed early to help them stay well-rested.
Tip #10: Be Predictable with Your Schedule
Don’t leave your child wondering what’s going to happen next. Show them each day what is expected of them and stick with it, giving lots of notice of changes ahead of time whenever possible. If they know exactly when their meals are coming, for example, they can be prepared mentally to eat and won’t throw a fit over blue food because they’re hungry.
Tip #11: Keep the Environment Calm
Any hint of a tantrum can set a toddler off into full-blown meltdown mode, so it’s important that you keep the environment as calm as possible. That means avoiding loud noises or crowded areas where your child might be overwhelmed. If possible, do what you must do in a room where your child can’t see or hear others.
Tip #12: Know Your Child’s Triggers
As with adults, every toddler has their own hot buttons that set them off into tantrums. Knowing those triggers can help you avoid them as much as possible and keep your child from having unnecessary meltdowns.
Tip #13: Keep Toys to A Minimum
Toys are fun for children, but too many toys make it more difficult to play with them all. Make sure that you have enough accessible toys to keep your child entertained without having so many that you can’t find what you’re looking for when the toy box is empty. That way, they won’t throw a fit over the toy they want not being available when you aren’t.
Tip #14: Distract Before You Discipline
This is one of the most effective ways to stop a tantrum. The last thing you want to do when your child is having an emotional outburst is to scold them for it. They won’t be able to hear you and they’ll feel like you’re attacking them. For that reason, it’s important to distract your child before trying to discipline them for tantrums.
Tip #15: Give Your Child Their Own Space
Sometimes a toddler just needs a bit of time alone to calm down and collect themselves. If their tantrum is creating too big of a scene, find a safe place to give your child some space and time to regroup.
Tip #16: Don’t Scold Your Child for Crying
It’s completely natural for young children to cry when they have a tantrum. If you try to stop them from crying or tell them not to cry, you’ll just make it worse as their frustration and sadness build up. Let them cry it out and they’ll feel better once their tears are dry.
Tip #17: Don’t Give in to Whining
If your child is trying to get something from you by whining, let them know that whining won’t work. Be firm but kind as you tell your child what they can ask for instead of whining.
Tip #18: Let Your Child ‘Borrow’ Toys
It’s tempting to give in when your child is having a tantrum and wants to play with something that belongs to someone else, but it can end up teaching them that they’re entitled to things that don’t belong to them. Instead, let them borrow the toy temporarily if you can do it safely. Otherwise, hold on to their toy until the tantrum is over and they can calm down.
Tip #19: Don’t Make Empty Promises
Making empty promises to help end the tantrum will only prolong it. For example, if your child is throwing a tantrum because they want to watch TV but you don’t let them turn it on, a promise to let them watch TV later will just prolong their tantrum. The more you try to pacify them without following through, the worse it’s going to get.
Tip #20: Keep Things as Consistent as Possible
Children thrive when they know what to expect from one day to the next and when those expectations aren’t constantly changing. If one day you let them have a treat for breakfast and the next morning, they don’t get it, that inconsistency is going to cause confusion and frustration. Find a way around tantrums by keeping things as consistent as possible.
Conclusion
Now you know the basics of tantrum taming and what to do when your toddler has a meltdown.
The most important thing we can tell you is this: there’s no need to be embarrassed or ashamed if your little one is having a hard time with something new, difficult, or frustrating.
Tantrums are just another stage in development that will eventually fade away as their skills grow. Just remember these tips for how to help them through it and give yourself some grace!
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