Before you had kids you probably witnessed an out of control child having a temper tantrum at
store. More than likely you thought or said, "If that was my child, I would ______". Well now here you are with children of your own dealing with these exact situations. Temper tantrums are a normal part of life with toddlers and preschoolers. Almost all young children have tantrums occasionally. If handled appropriately, most children outgrow this stage by four or five.Some children have severe tantrums and may get so upset that they vomit or hold their breath until they pass out. Although this can be extremely upsetting to parent, child will generally recover quickly and completely. If your child is fainting or vomiting from tantrums, you may want to consult your pediatrician to check for any other health concerns.
How you handle tantrums will have a direct impact on frequency and intensity of tantrums. Here are some tips on preventing tantrums and how to respond to them.
Make sure your child is not over-tired. If she is cranky or tired put her down for a nap or try doing some quiet time. You can lay down in bed and read a book or play soothing music to help her relax.
Be consistent with your rules. If she has a tantrum and you give in to her demands, she will try this again. The more consistent you are, more she will learn that tantrums don't work.
When you ask your child to do something, try asking nicely first. "Mommy needs some help picking up toys" usually goes over better than "get in here and pick up this mess!"
