Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

Is anyone DC having temper tantrums? I mean Travis is doing them several times a day. He just upset if he can’t get what he wants. He sometimes just screams/cry , other times he will go on all fours and band his head on the floor or if he is sitting he will fling himself backwards.

What are you ladies doing for this? Many times I try to just ignore it, so he will hopefully realize that we won’t acknowledge that kind of behavior. But other times I try to just distract him, because I really don’t want him banging his head on the floor and hurt himself.. I am really dreading the terrible 2’s.

Please tell me my DS isnt the only one doing this.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

You are not alone!
DD is 15 months and has tantrums all the time! I too try to distract her. I have found that ignoring her brings it on more.

I also believe its frustration in that she cannot express what she wants!

Message edited 4/19/2011 2:22:06 PM.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

My DS is the same exact way. He is 22 months. It was worse around 15 - 18 months. Maybe it's that time where communication is the hardest for them.

I'm really not sure, but I hate it. I try to calm him, ignore, distract, etc. Sometimes it works and sometimes he's just too deep in it. He also will bang his head. He's also hit himself in the head. It bothers me and I try and hug him telling him not to hurt himself.

I've posted this b4 and it sounds normal at this age.

My niece used to scream or hold her breathe till she almost passes out. It's scary, but I think it's the way they get frustrated

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

we are. and i try the distraction technique. seems to work most of the time. and it's more like diverting his attention away from what's ailing him.

and i ignore him a lot too. and eventually, casually redirect his attention to something different.

he's only 14 months, and it's only just begun. hang in there.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

i just posted about this yesterday! i miss my sweet boy i try to give him choices and if he throws a tandrum i let him get it out and then distract him. im hoping this is a short phase.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

I would put him in his crib to calm down if he started banging his head and potentially hurting himself..if he is just crying.. ignore him..

(this is also after making sure he isn't sick, ear infection yada yada yada). John throws more tantrums when he has an ear infection.. but just a tantrum... all you can do is distract or put him in his crib so he doesn't hurt himself.

ALSO:

PREVENTING THE TANTRUM!! If you know he will throw a tantrum b/c you are taking something away..replace it BEFORE you takei t away KWIM.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

DS has been throwing more tantrums recently. He had a huge one on Sunday because I wouldn't let him bring his muddy lawnmower in the house and he had already taken his shoes off so I wouldn't let him back out.

I try to distract him with something else he may enjoy.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

Oh and Also.. PICK YOUR BATTLES!!!

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

It's so hard. I usually:

1. Distract with something else

2. Give him a heads up.. like "We are going to eat dinner in a few minutes so you have to put that away"

3. Choose your battles. We were blowing bubbles in the bath tub and he insisted on holding the bubbles. I told him he has to be careful or the bubbles will spill and they will go away. Well, he did and he made a sad face but it would have been worse if I didn't let him. I try to let him learn by himself when possible.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

DS is about to be 16 months and he is has them on occasion. I try to distract him at first. If that doesn't work I remove him from the situation.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

luce is a hitter. he'll cry, yell, and then try to hit something. whatever he's closest to.

I generally give him the "have you lost your tiny mind" look. then tell him "sorry, you can't have/do/eat/smash that" and try to distract him.

if he carries on, I walk away. he almost always comes around.

I don't fuel the fire, and thus far they don't last very long.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

Cailen went through this. I did put him in timeout - usually in his pack n play where there wasn't anything to hurt himself on....

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

oh also, as a tag-a-long to picking your batttles...be PROACTIVE. think ahead.

sometimes he'll want to play with something seemingly harmless that I know will cause an issue down the line...he'll use it as a projectile...he' try to eat it etc.

If i think something he wants to play with/touch/ see will eventually lead to problems, I don't let him have it to begin with.

same with routines. sometimes I have to really stop myself from letting him do something I KNOW I don't want to become a habit, even if it will give me a little instant gratification.

Re: Moms of 16-18 month old (Temper tantrums’)

You're not the only one. DS has multiple tantrums a day. Usually just screaming/crying. Luckily they only last for a minute or so. He is very big on looking for attention so if I ignore it, 99% of the time he'll cut it out quickly. I do say "no you can't have/do/whatever" and then turn away so he gets what I'm trying to say.