Avoiding Toddler Tantrums

The terrible twos … even the most dignified parent has been left red-faced and wanting to be swallowed into the ground while their toddler is having a public meltdown. Here are a few easy ideas for avoiding toddler tantrums...

Don’t Let Them Get Over Tired
Don’t let your toddler become too tired. Set a regular nap routine and try to stick to it, and make sure he goes to bed at a reasonable time and gets enough sleep during the night. Tiredness is often the first reason for a tantrum.

Keep Sugar Levels Stable
Don’t let your toddler’s blood sugar levels dip too low. This will make him irritable and tired, and a tantrum could soon follow. Make sure he has plenty of small nutritious snacks throughout the day to provide him with a steady source of energy to avoid blood sugar dips.

Give Them Time
Allow enough time for activities like getting dressed, brushing their hair and getting in and out of the car. Your toddler will want to do a lot of these things on his own and rushing him is a sure way to start a tantrum. Give him a little extra time and let him try to be independent by allowing him to do certain things for himself.

Give Them "Five Minutes' Warning"
Try to get into the habit of giving your toddler a signal that you will be packing up, going out, moving on or whatever, about five minutes before you plan to do so. At first he won't understand what five minutes is, but after a while he will get used to it and many tantrums will be averted. Nobody likes to drop everything at a moment's notice, especially when they are enjoying themselves - and yet we often expect children to do just that!

We have a "five minutes' warning" signal - I hold up my hand with fingers spread and make sure that my kids see it clearly - which we still use even though my oldest is now in his teens. When my kids were younger I was often praised for how well they behaved when it was time to leave a friend's house - and I know that our "five minutes' warning" training was the reason!

Put it Away
Is there a certain item that always causes your toddler to have a tantrum? A food that’s only for after dinner or an item he shouldn’t have? Then put it where he can’t see it. Out of sight, out of mind, is a great way of avoiding tantrums!

Ignore It
This is easier said than done and of course it depends where your child is having his tantrum. If you’re in the middle of the supermarket you can’t just walk away or ignore your child especially if they’re grabbing or breaking things. In this instance it may be best to gently pick up your child and take him outside or to an area away from people and noise. Give him a few minutes to calm down and a big hug.

If your child is having a tantrum in a safe place like at home, then it’s best to walk away until he calms down. Make sure he can’t hurt himself or anything or anyone else and just walk away. Once he’s finished give him a hug and talk about what he’s feeling.

Give Him a Hug
Often your child just needs to be held and needs you to help him control his emotions. If he’s in the middle of a tantrum try gently hugging him and just hold him. A lot of the times this will completely diffuse the tantrum. Be sensitive to his reactions and if you see your hug is only making him more upset then give him a little space instead or try a different approach.

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