Help, my child has started throwing tantrums

Help! My sweet, even-tempered, always lovable, easy-going 17 month old became a tantrum throwing, opinionated, demanding toddler on Monday. That's when the switch happened, honestly.

Problem is, we are going on vacation and staying with family. I had no worries before bc he was so easy going and listened and was just mellow and a pleasure but now it's his way or he melts down. He's crying (prior to this week I'd seen tears maybe 5 times), whining, demanding, and wants what he wants when he wants it. Distraction doesn't work bc a few minutes later he will come back and again demand what he wants.

This all started right after he figured out that if he drags me by my shirt or holds my hand, he can get me to go where he wants.

How do I best handle this phase, especially in light of the fact that we will staying in someone's home?

Re: Help, my child has started throwing tantrums

My best advice would be patience, patience, patience. This will pass, but being firm, consistent, and patient will help you both!

If it helps you feel better, this phase does end just as quickly as it starts (at least it did with our older DS). The weekend he turned 3, he returned to being his normal, angelic self that we remembered.

Re: Help, my child has started throwing tantrums

I was going to post something very similar to this, the last couple weeks, my 20 months old has been crazy with these tantrums, she used to be so happy and play by herself and entertain herself so well and all of a sudden, if she can't get something within 5 seconds it's a tantrum filled with crying and tears and screaming. I know it's a phase and it will pass but i don't like this phase and miss my good little girl!

Re: Help, my child has started throwing tantrums

All I can say is, welcome to the world of toddlers!

As a previous poster said... paitence, paitence, paitence.....