How do you handle temper tantrums?

DD is almost 2 and is constantly throwing tantrums over everything. I just let her cry and scream and kick, but I am starting to lose my mind.
What do you when your LO has a tantrum?

How do you handle temper tantrums?

Ignore or redirect. Its tough but believe me at almost 2 its just the beginning.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Same. Ignore it.
Sometimes it can go on for a half an hour and yes, you want to lose your mind, but just ignore.
They will get tired of it eventually.
I usually drink some wine too!

How do you handle temper tantrums?

Ignore. Makes it end faster.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

If it's a huge tantrum, I'll ignore it. If he's not going to crazy I try to distract him with something else. Luckily his tantrums rarely last more than 5 minutes in any case.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

I ignore them as best as I can.

DS is 3 and they have just gotten owrse these last few months. They are lasting longer and they are over everything and anything.

Yesterday he had a melt down because he looked out the window and it wasn't snowing. He out right started screaming and kicking and was mad about it. He kept yelling "MAMA!!! MAKE-IT-SNOW!!!!!"

I feel bad because my tolerance for it is VERY short. I am 37 weeks pregnant and so uncomfortable - I am just in a bad mood a lot of the time. So I find myseld raising my voice at him more than I have in the past. It hurts even more when he starts crying because I yelled and he says 'you're yelling at me and making me sad

Message edited 12/17/2013 9:52:49 AM.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Posted by BriBri2u

I ignore them as best as I can.

DS is 3 and they have just gotten owrse these last few months. They are lasting longer and they are over everything and anything.

Yesterday he had a melt down because he looked out the window and it wasn't snowing. He out right started screaming and kicking and was mad about it. He kept yelling "MAMA!!! MAKE-IT-SNOW!!!!!"

I feel bad because my tolerance for it is VERY short. I am 37 weeks pregnant and so uncomfortable - I am just in a bad mood a lot of the time. So I find myseld raising my voice at him more than I have in the past. It hurts even more when he starts crying because I yelled and he says 'you're yelling at me and making me sad

How do you handle temper tantrums?

For me, it depends on the situation but most of the time, I ignore it and that seems to work best. If he's not feeling well and having a tantrum, then I try to console him to calm him down (if he'll let me). But if I know he's fine and it's something ridiculous like mommy won't let him dump his milk on the floor, then I just have to ignore it until he calms down.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Posted by BlueDiamonds

Posted by BriBri2u

I ignore them as best as I can.

DS is 3 and they have just gotten owrse these last few months. They are lasting longer and they are over everything and anything.

Yesterday he had a melt down because he looked out the window and it wasn't snowing. He out right started screaming and kicking and was mad about it. He kept yelling "MAMA!!! MAKE-IT-SNOW!!!!!"

I feel bad because my tolerance for it is VERY short. I am 37 weeks pregnant and so uncomfortable - I am just in a bad mood a lot of the time. So I find myseld raising my voice at him more than I have in the past. It hurts even more when he starts crying because I yelled and he says 'you're yelling at me and making me sad

i am right there with you, being pregnant and uncomfortable has shortened my tolerance. most days when DS is throwing a fit i need to just step out of the room for a minute and breathe. it serves two purposes, to show him i will not tolerate temper tantrums and to give me a minute to calm down before i start yelling.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

My DD wasn't a big tantrum thrower but she did try a few times here and there. I would completely ignore her and if I happened to walk past her I would just say, "Oh that's nice. Let me know when you're finished and ready to move on with the day".

Within less than 5 minutes she was over it and moved on. She only threw a fit a couple of times because she realized SUPER quick, it got her nowhere and was a waste of time.

I know some kids are hardcore tantrum throwers which is more difficult and every kid is different but this is what worked for us. Good luck!

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

I direct his attention to something else... If I ignore him he only screams louder and then I get very anxious.
This is really the reason why I don't think I can handle any more children..

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Thanks everyone. I am also 24 weeks pregnant, and I thought I was the only one who was losing my patience with this. When DH is around I try to direct her attention to something else, but when its just me I let her go on and on.
Yesterday, at daycare the teacher gave her a doll for x-mas and it comes with a sippy cup, she wanted the top off, then on and then just blew a fit because she could not do it herself. I think that is where most of her frustration is coming from - she is trying to do things on her own but can't.
I guess this is why they call it the terrible two's.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

I dont, I walk away.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

It depends why they are having the tantrum. Ignoring is not always the answer. If she is having a tantrum because you asked her to do something she doesn't want to do, ignoring her tantrum isn't going to stop the behavior from happening. Why? Because the tantrum had put off whatever it is you asked her to do. Instead, offer something good for doing what you asked.
If she is having a tantrum because you told her she couldn't have something, you should explain why she cant have what she wants or when what she wants can be attained before ignoring the tantrum. This way she has some understanding or motivation.
If she is just looking for attention, then yes, you can ignore.

The most important thing is to review why that behavior isnt tollerated after she has calmed down and the tantrum is over. Also altetnative ways to comminicate more effectively should be provided to her as well.

Its tough but be strong and stick to it!

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Posted by ANewDayHasCome

Posted by IVFmiracle

It depends why they are having the tantrum. Ignoring is not always the answer. If she is having a tantrum because you asked her to do something she doesn't want to do, ignoring her tantrum isn't going to stop the behavior from happening. Why? Because the tantrum had put off whatever it is you asked her to do. Instead, offer something good for doing what you asked.
If she is having a tantrum because you told her she couldn't have something, you should explain why she cant have what she wants or when what she wants can be attained before ignoring the tantrum. This way she has some understanding or motivation.
If she is just looking for attention, then yes, you can ignore.

The most important thing is to review why that behavior isnt tollerated after she has calmed down and the tantrum is over. Also altetnative ways to comminicate more effectively should be provided to her as well.

Its tough but be strong and stick to it!

Is this from your psych background or has B been acting out lately?

Remind me to go to you for advice when this will inevitably begin.

Re: How do you handle temper tantrums?

Ignore and like others said, this is just the beginning. My older daughter is 4.5 years old and still throws tantrums but now I send her to her room.