Terrible 2s -- What's The Best Way to Deal With My Daughter's Temper Tantrums?

My son is not quite 2, so I'm very interested in learning what to do when the time comes...because he is definitely having more opinions now and asserting himself! :-)

I read Susan's post, and one of the things she mentioned triggered my memory---I read the same thing in a book, The Happiest Toddler on the Block. I didn't agree with many (most?) of the ideas in the book, but what the author did say that I agree with is: toddlers are like little cavemen and cavewomen. They won't understand reasoning, but they will understand "cave talk"! ha!

I did not feel comfortable talking to my son in their suggested cave-talk, but what helpful advice I did get out of it: toddlers understand very short, quick, passionate phrases. If they are having a temper tantrum, the most important thing is they want to feel "heard" and "understood" (don't we all?!). So, when we try to calm them down, it's like someone not "hearing" us and not validating us when we're upset. So, the book recommends using the same amount of urgency, energy and passion behind your remarks to your child (in a kind, gentle way...no yelling) to "mimick" your child's emotions. Something like, "I am mad! Mad, mad mad!". (not sure how to balance the mimicking cave-talk vs. teasing/making fun of them). This is supposed to get their attention, they feel understood, then when they've calmed down enough to be able to hear their two choices ("do you want to wear the red shirt or green shirt"), they can make their choice. Could work, depending on the situation?!

Another book my mom friends are reading is: "Parenting with Love and Logic".

Tell us how the new "tricks" go with your daughter, and which ones work! :-)

My little one is 21 months now. I heard there is a book called 123 Magic that is supposed to be good. I was about to buy it, but I found some tricks that work for me. The biggest one is the "Do you want to go in time-out?" Another thing that really works is if I ask her if she wants me to start singing. She normally says yes and & then I sing & it distracts her. I am by no means an expert. I am just letting you know what works for me.

It's certainly easy to understand why they call them the Terrible 2s. Here are a few ideas on how parents can prevent and deal with temper tantrums from www.childwelfare.gov.

It is often easier to prevent tantrums than to deal with
them once they have begun. Parents may notice some signals that children give as a warning that a tantrum may be brewing. If a parent suspects that a tantrum is coming or if a child gets in the habit of having a tantrum after a particular experience or at a particular time of day, here are some prevention tips to keep in mind:

Distract or redirect your child’s attention to something else.

Use a sense of humor to distract your child. This may help you cope, too.

Give your child control over small things by giving him or her a choice.

Take your child to a quiet place and speak softly to him or her.

Encourage your child to express emotions and feelings with words.

Stick to a daily routine that gives your child enough rest and enough activity. (Sounds like you've already tried this one.)

Reward your child when he or she requests something without having a tantrum.

How can parents deal with tantrums, especially public temper tantrums? Parents can be caught off guard when a child throws a tantrum in public. It can be embarrassing, and parents may be tempted to give in to the child just to stop the tantrum. But giving in just teaches the
child that “tantrums work.” Instead, try some of the following tips to deal with tantrums that happen in the home or in public:

Remain calm. Don’t lose control because your child has lost control. Instead, try to model behavior that is calm and controlled.

Hugging or holding your child until the tantrum subsides may help a younger child through a tantrum.

Put the child in “time out” or in a quiet place (even strapped in to a stroller) where he or she can calm down. Time out should be one minute for each year of the child’s age.

Older children who throw tantrums may be seeking attention. Try ignoring them until the tantrum is over.

Does that answer help? Do other parents have tips on how to curb tantrums?