Taming Temper Tantrums

Every parent has witnessed it at some point the infamous temper tantrum that sneaks up on even well-behaved children. One minute they are fine and the next you are not sure who they are! They are engulfed in anger: yelling, crying, and doing who knows what else! It can be a crazy scene, but one that is better tackled with an understanding of what tantrums are and what you can do to help get past them.

Help for Parents on Temper Tantrums

In a nutshell, tantrums are a major sign that your child doesn't know how to deal with their frustration. Children who throw tantrums, regardless of their age, are frustrated, angry, and lack the skills at that point to effectively deal with it. But it's not a lost cause!

Keep these parenting tips in mind when dealing with temper tantrums:

• Know your child's personality. If there is something you know will cause a tantrum, try to prevent it by a using a gentle way of bringing it up or handling the situation.
• Pick your battles and realize that not every issue is worth going to the mat on. Kids are striving to make a few decisions on their own. Letting them do so here and there will help the situation.
• Set a good example of how one should deal with anger and frustration. Sometimes parents even throw "adult fits" or tantrums. If you demonstrate healthy ways to deal with feelings, they will be more likely to follow.
• Discuss the tantrums after everything has calmed down, letting your child tell you why they acted that way and how they feel which allows you to discuss what they could do differently the next time.
• Read books about handling anger. There are many available today that deal with emotions.
• Put the focus on praising and rewarding good behavior. You can do this by setting up a rewards chart.

Children may throw tantrums when they are frustrated or angry; however, we can help to prevent and move past them by teaching our children skills for coping with those feelings. Equipped with those skills, they will be ready to take on the world and not throw a tantrum if they are disappointed!