Share
Parentswho have toddlers know that temper tantrums are inevitable.
According to theCleveland Clinic, a toddler throws one tantrum a day on average.
Recently, one mothersharedhow she dealt with her daughters temper tantrum.
Read her expert insights below!
I feel like the slapping part couldve been addressed immediately, an Instagram user under the username xoxolevana wrote.
Others pointed out how this could backfire if she were to hit a classmate or a teacher.
Thats firm, calm, and non-negotiable.
If the parent is holding the child at the moment, its best to put them down.
it’s possible for you to say, I wont let you hit.
Ill put you down until your hands are calm,' she recommends.
And this helps reinforce to them that hitting will change the situation.
She points out that parents can pick the child up again after they regulate.
However, trying to reason with the toddler if theyre still in meltdown mode most likely wont work.
Parents should help their toddlers calm down and help them regulate.
Occasional hitting, biting, pushing, throwing objects, or yelling is common at this stage.
We, adults, automatically assume that toddlers hit out of hostility.
Dr. Jenkins explains that gentle parenting isnt boundaryless parenting.
Its about setting clear, consistent limits in a calm, connected way, she explains.
Boundaries actually help kids feel safe, and toddlers need them.
In the heat of the moment, some parents also respond by yelling, threatening, or with frustration.
Thats their way (however unfortunate and frustrating) of communicating an unmet need.
If we meet their aggression with our own dysregulation, all they learn is that big feelings equal chaos.
Instead, they need us to model calm and guide them toward safer ways to express emotions.
Another thing to remember is that a toddler is in a different developmental stage than an adult.
Recognizing this can help parents regulate their own emotions when faced with a toddlers tantrum.
Parents only goal shouldnt be to just eliminate aggression.
They need to help their toddler understand how to express their needs safely.
How does that look, exactly?Parentscan follow up once the child is calm.
Ask your toddler to name their emotions, reinforce alternatives, and practice better ways to handle frustration.
But occasional aggression is not a sign of a bad kid, Dr. Jenkins notes.
Its just a sign of a little human still learning how to navigate big emotions.
Check out the results:
