How To Tame A Tantrum In 4 Easy Steps

Exasperated parents trying to calm their child who seems to be going through some pretty big emotions in the form of tantrums or meltdowns is a common occurrence. To support a child through these tantrums and meltdowns, parents must understand the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown. 

Once you have identified what is going on with your child, you can then take steps to stop it in its tracks. In this article, we will cover how to handle tantrums. 

• Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Tantrums
• Tips For Staying Calm Throughout The Tantrum

Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Tantrums 

A tantrum has the power to ruin the nicest experience be it a shopping trip or a visit to see grandpa! Parents usually give in to the tantrum to avoid the embarrassment or salvage the situation. And it leads children to believe that they will get whatever they want if they throw a tantrum now and then. The book How to manage a child’s temper tantrum mentions a way of saying ‘no’ to a child without really saying no. It is helpful because most people find it difficult to say no to children. This structure can also be used to reinforce boundaries with children. 

Step 1: Empathetic Statement

Reassure your child that you understand how they feel by using empathetic language. 

For example:

• I understand that you want more candy because it tastes so good. It is okay to want more candy. 
• I understand that you do not want to leave the park because you are having so much fun. It is okay to feel sad about leaving the park. 

Step 2: Explanation

Then, explain the reasons behind saying no. Reinforce any existing rules you may have for a child. 

For example: 

• You cannot have one more piece of candy because it will be lunchtime soon. 
• We just finished one hour of park time. Now, it is time to say bye to the park. 

Step 3: Choice

Later, ask children to make a choice between two desirable options. It will help children feel more in control. You can pose it as a statement, your children need not respond to this. 

For example:

• If you are hungry, you can either have carrots or cucumbers. 
• Once we go home, we can either play with the dollhouse or solve a puzzle.  

Step 4: Reminder

Let children know that they will enjoy the same activity later. Remind them that they are not saying goodbye forever. 

For example:

• You can have one piece of candy tomorrow. 
• We will visit the park tomorrow at the same time. 

Tips For Staying Calm Throughout The Tantrum

Staying calm throughout the tantrum may seem like a dream for most parents. A book, No-yelling Discipline For Children Aged 1-4: Specific Guides to Help Overcome Children’s Tantrum and Nurture Positive Behavior, by Michelle Vasque lists down a few tips that will help parents to stay calm during the tantrum. 

• Remind yourself to stay patient because the tantrum will not last forever. 
• Your child is not throwing a tantrum to upset you. Younger children express themselves with behaviour and not words. 
• Remember that you cannot control a tantrum but you can control your reactions. 
• When in public, there’s no need to feel embarrassed. Nobody is judging you. 

Above all, congratulate yourself for staying calm after every tantrum. Keep mental notes of major tantrums to figure out if there are any patterns and to understand triggers. It will help you manage the tantrums better. 

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