18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

My son just turned 18 months on the 9th....lately he has been having these awful fits of rage where he throws his head back and forth....not against any thing...just throws his noggen around when he's mad. Today, I'm just so frustrated and embarrassed to be exact. I took him to the park and usually he just goes on the baby swing....today it was empty and he was feeling his oats and wanted to run around and play...fine...I let him do that.....I put him on the slide and let him slide down....then he mastered climbing to the top on his own via the steps. I didn't want him going down the slide on his own without some one being there to catch him on the bottom ( I helped him on the top)....this nice woman offered to help catch him...now he wants to climb up the slide...that sets off his first bout of madness when I tell him no...so then I go with him to the top of the slide and he goes down on his own....I don't know what even triggered off the tantrum but he got mad at some thing and started going nuts when he got off the slide...screaming his head off..now every one is looking at us.....I try putting him on the slide again and he's still flipping out...so I take him down and attempt to put him in the stroller to take him home. He starts hitting me, scratching, kicking....I'm beyond mortified at this point...every one is looking...I can't get him the stroller because he's going nuts and won't sit down. He goes off running...hits a metal pole and falls backward onto the concrete missing his head by an inch....I pick him up again and proceed to carry him home kicking and screaming....trying to hold my cool....the battle trying to get him into the stroller was enough....neighbors probably thought I was abusing him.....now he's throwing his head back and forth.....finally get him into the stroller and he's going buckwild with his little head. I get home and just cry....he sees my crying and I tell him he made me so sad....he gives me a hug and kiss....I taught kids for years and never saw a fit like this.....is this normal behavior...the Pediatrician said it is, but I'm worries...please tell me I'm not alone....I'm just so upset...How do you handle this? Typically I just walk away and let him do his thing, but obviously couldn't do this in the park....Would you think his head episodes call for an evaluation? Just looking for advice or this is all okay....I'm a first time Mom and Im at my wits end today....thanks for all of your help in advance

18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

I think hes being a completely normal, crazy kid. And the hell with what others think. This is them pushing their limits. Let him push, you handled it as well as you could have. Theyre great most times kids, but sometimes they stink.

18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

We have all been there...you are not alone.

Everytime I leave the park w. DD she is kicking and screaming. EVERY TIME. Kids this age don't know how to express emotions so they have these little fits of rage. Once they learn to communicate better it should hopefully subside...I look forward to that!!

Re: 18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

Completely normal. My DD has fits like this. she's 21 months and it's been going on for months. She hits me, bites me, runs away, throws anything she can get her hands on, has pushed furniture across the room, etc. They're just testing their limits. Every single parent has been there and dealt with it, so don't be embarassed.

Re: 18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

My dd is approaching 2 and does the same thing occasionally. If I know a fit may be on its way I usually prepare mentally and physically to carry her away kicking and screaming if need be. So far I haven't really been embarrassed because I figure the moms and dads around me totally get it. It's just age where they are testing you and learning defiance. Totally normal.

Re: 18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

My son has had a few public fits and when people stop and stare, I've just responded with "Yep, this is happening"... they ususally just laughed and walked away.

Normal 100%

18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

Normal. They hate to be told they can't do something.

My DS is almost 16 months and does this all the time. You can't give into the tantrums. I jsut make sure he is safe and let him scream and kick away.

Sometimes if it isn't a bad one a little distraction will do the trick.

18 month old temper tantrums advice...is this normal behavior? LONG

Very normal.

I'm thinking since you were at the playground - some of those looks were looks of empathy since we've all been there!