Have you ever had a meltdown yourself when your child is throwing a tantrum? Do you feel frustrated when you don’t seem to find a constructive way to deal with your toddler’s tantrums? You’re definitely not alone!
Watch the video below:
[Insert video]
As I was doing some research on the topic, I found an interesting idea that got me thinking:
I had never thought of the existence of different kinds of tantrums. However, not all tantrums are created equal. Tina Bryson, co-author of the book The Whole Brain Child, makes a distinction between an upstairs tantrum and a downstairs tantrum. And I bet you have experienced both of them. Now, how do you cope with them?
And the Oscar goes to…
When your …show more content…
Wait patiently until they cool down while offering lots of comfort. Do not ignore these tantrums but see them as an opportunity to express your unconditional love to your child and accompany them in the process of learning how to handle their emotions.
What’s in in for you? By learning how to handle tantrums, you’ll develop your ability to positively respond to other people’s emotions. You’ll learn how to remain calm and become aware of the importance of being proactive and anticipate situations in other areas of your life.
Keeping this distinction in mind, here are my seven tips to handle tantrums: 1. Stay calm and provide comfort.
You cannot pour from an empty cup! Even in the midst of your child’s meltdown, it’s crucial to find some peace for yourself first. Try your best to keep a positive mood. Here are some of the strategies that have worked for me:
• Eliminate the background noise around you.
• Take some deep breaths. (We really underestimate the power of deep breathing. Give it a try!).
• Practice positive self-talk. (This too shall pass!).
• Speak calmly. (The louder your child screams, the softer your tone of voice should be. I know it seems hard to do, but it works!).
• Walk away for a moment if you’re about to lose it. (Give your child some space, put yourself together and try