No matter how well-behaved a kid you have, it is inevitable that they cannot be
calm all the time. Every parent has to deal with when their child loses their
temper. If you’re lucky, it won’t happen very often, but it is very probable for
temper tantrums to happen in the most public of spaces and you need to know
the best ways of handling it without making a scene. Here are some tips for what
to do when your child has their meltdown:
Do not lose your temper
No matter how frustrating the situation is, you need to remember that
you are the adult here. Your kid is young and is currently overwhelmed.
There is a lot about the world that they do not yet understand. Your also
losing your calm helps no one. Do not yell at your child and make sure you
talk to them in measured, soothing tones. Usually it does not really matter
what you are saying. The child will eventually simply respond to your
energy and calm down.
Ask them what is upsetting them
It is a good practice in every situation to validate your child’s emotions
and make them feel they are being heard. Even if they are very young and
cannot articulate themselves yet, you are telling them that you’re on your
side in this and are willing to help make them feel better. If the problem
that they are upset over is trivial (as it often is for children), the process
of thinking it through as they are trying to communicate it to you might be
enough to make them realize that it is not worth the tears.
Carry around their favorite treat or toy
Temper tantrums are very common, so part of your parenting duties
includes being always prepared to distract your upset kid with the things
that are guaranteed to make them happy. Children have short attention
spans and it usually takes very little to shift their focus from what they
were crying about a few seconds ago to whatever shiny gift you have in
store for them. Do not make a habit of this however, or they might come
to expect a reward for not throwing a tantrum.
Avoid stress-inducing situations
Try to keep your kid away from situations that you know are likely to end
badly. For example, there might be a social gathering at which there will
be several new faces or one will clashes with the child’s sleep routines. Do
not take them into stores where they might insist on you buying them
something that you know better than to give them. If the child is tired,
don’t risk staying out for another errand. Knowingly putting yourself in
these situations is only asking for trouble.
Positive reinforcement works wonders
Make sure you keep up a steady shower of praise for whatever good task
your kid does, no matter how small. Temper tantrums are often cries for
attention. If you give them enough loving, healthy attention, it usually
follows that they will turn less to loud attention-grabbing tactics like
these. Make sure your child knows how loved they are.