It’s not that we can not get enough of talking about tantrums; it’s just that as a parent, while tantrums are a normal part of child development and can be frustrating for parents, they are not typically considered traumatic for the parent.
Nonetheless, frequent or intense tantrums can lead to parental stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm.
At KIRO, it’s all about keeping it REAL with hacks and necessary tools for parents to be intentional and live their dream lives.
In part 1 of the Tantrum blog post, we talked about what to do when the tantrum is happening live and direct in the middle of an M&S aisle at rush hour! Ha!
However, in this post we will be talking about preventative methods, suggestions to decrease the likelihood of a tantrum (because, again, it is a part of their development).
Let’s dive in!
What’s the trigger?
This is where you become the research scientist of your child – observe their behavioural patterns and try to identify and address the triggers. Pay attention to your child’s behaviour and identify situations or times when tantrums are more likely to occur.
Another ground to cover is making sure their basic needs are met: Are they hungry? Have they eaten? Are they sleepy? Could you take the trip to M&S after they’ve had a nap?
Also, some children are similar to adults – they appreciate what could happen next. When transitions are about to take place, i.e., from one place to another, it could help to talk and prepare your child for changes in activities or locations by giving them advance notice and a sense of control.
Also read: Let’s talk Tantrums…..In public!
Get some routine and structure going.
There is such power in routine; it’s empowering for the child and empowering for YOU, the parent! Consistent routines help with establishing predictable daily routines for meals, nap times , and bedtime to help your child feel secure and reduce anxiety. Let’s be real – it also reduces your anxiety… a little bit.
Let’s also not forget communication. Setting clear expectations for behaviour and communicating them calmly and consistently will help reduce reasons for tantrums.
Tell them well done.
Focus on what they do well. You can do this by praising and rewarding positive behaviours to encourage desired actions and reduce the need for tantrums. Sometimes tantrums are a class act for attention.
Furthermore, try to acknowledge their feelings. You can validate your child’s emotions and help them understand and express their feelings in a healthy way. Furthermore, since children learn by observing, it is important to model calm and appropriate responses to difficult situations.
“Setting clear expectations for behaviour and communicating them calmly and consistently will help reduce reasons for tantrums.”
There is something we didn’t say in part 1 that is helpful to remember here: If you have exhausted some of these solutions and tantrums are frequent or severe, we suggest you book a free discovery call below for a conversation!
What makes you a great parent is not you knowing all the answers but knowing that you do not have all the answers! This means seeking the help, advice and support you need per time.
Oh, and remember: you got this!
