SQUASH THAT PUBLIC TANTRUM LIKE A PRO!

Motherhood has it moments. For instance when your little one decides to kick, scream, throw themselves down in the middle of a gathering or a parking lot somewhere. You can literally taste the regret in your throat (LOL). In the event your child is prone this, here are a few ways to de-escalate the situation.

 

Set expectations early…

You know that feeling when you just take whatever life gives you, because life is complicated and you can’t really do much? Well, kids don’t. And they hate not knowing what to expect either. Depending on your child’s age, you can tell them how you expect them to behave when they want something, situations under which they can have it or not, for instance at the supermarket. If travelling together, let them know all the places you are going to and what you expect to happen there. If you are going to pass by a toy store on your way, tell them, and tell them whether you’re going to buy them anything or not. Repeat your instructions frequently and even have them say it back to you. Kids are forgetful and need re-enforcement.

Be prepared…

Certain situations may cause kids to have meltdowns like when they are hungry, tired, bored or confused. Make sure you always have snacks for them or a source of entertainment or distraction. Distracting them from situations they may consider stressful will save you a whole lot of stress. Take it from us!

Get them involved…

You do not want your kids to get bored or think you aren’t paying attention to them. If you’re going to go shopping, make them part of it. Let them help you shop, or sing their favorite song with them while you shop. This will entertain them and grant you control.

Stay calm…

When you do everything you can to prevent a tantrum but it still happens, try as much as you can to stay calm. Don’t yell, hit them especially if they are under the age of two. Children do not begin to develop the reasoning skills necessary to understand simple rules or verbal explanations until around 3-years-old.

Also just ignore the judgmental stares and whispers, which we grantee will follow immediately. Stay calm and remind your child the expected behavior and the repercussions that will follow. Talk to them and ask them what is making them angry and why.

Time out…

If all else fails, remove them from that situation and re-enforce the repercussions of their behaviour. Be very clear that you are only moving there so that they can calm down and you’ll only leave when they feel better.