what is the best way to handle a toddler having a temper tantrum?

Question

i have a 1 1/2 year old and she pitches the biggest fits and hits when she gets angry what should i do to handle her? i mean ive heard if yiou smack their hand when they do bad it teaches them to hit when they get angery so what should i do?

Answer 1

Tantrums are a trademark of the terrible-twos. They are super-sensitive at this stage, they want to be in control, and they have the added frustration of not being able to express themselves well. Our goal as parents is to teach him that tantrums are not rewarded, and how to communicate without crying.

For tantrums at home, try hugging him tightly until he calms down. Ask him, are you sad? Angry? If he responds to this, tell him you're sorry he is <>. Then try to give him a feeling of power by offering him a choice of something. <>

If this doesn't work for your son, follow the experts' advice. Don't "reward" his tantrum with attention. If he is clinging to you, stand up and fold your arms, turn your back to him, look up at the ceiling, anything to let him know you are 'ignoring' him. This will make him scream louder for a while. When eventually his crying wanes a little (even if you know he is just catching his breath),
kneel down and ask him if he is all done crying. If he resumes crying, stand up and ignore him again. Wait for another break in this crying, and ask again if he is all done. Do this as many times as necessary. When he IS DONE (!), give him a big hug and tell him how happy you are that he is done, and that you
love him to bits. Cheerfully recap what happened: <>. No scolding, matter closed.

Answer 2

If you use pops on the hand right then it is the most effective way to deal with the temper, My child throws herself on the floor and starts kicking and screaming. I pull her up and pop her hand and tell her no. if she persists I do it again, the reason I say pop their hands is because they are too young to put in time out because they do not understand but yet if you pick them up and try to calm them down eventually they will relate throwing a temper tantrum and then Mommy's not mad anymore. and in my opinion ignoring is a way of condoning the tantrums. Because of the age of the child it is hard to decide the best way to teach but children are alot smarter than we give them credit for and they will learn that it is not ok to hit mommy when I am mad and temper tantrums will get me a spanking.

Answer 3

In the olden days, you'd smack them on the behind until they got up off the floor.
That was commonly only needed once and worked like a charm.
I should know, I was one of these brats (but only once).
It has taught me how to control my temper, which I still have, but not so that an outsider could tell.
It hasn't harmed me (rather kept me out of a lot of trouble this could have led to).

Answer 4

Ignore her at all costs. What she wants is the attention. Believe me I'm still there with my 2 1/2 year old. SHe'll throw a fit over the littlest stuff, and I just walk away.

Answer 5

Ignore her during the tantrum, but keep an eye on her to make sure she isn't going to hurt herself. In the meantime give her more attention. Play with her more, praise her for doing good things and for keeping her cool when she can't have what she wants. And good luck, this is easy to type but definately not easy to do. I've been there with my daughter, lots of sympathy.

Answer 6

when kids act like this it is usually because they just want your attention, this is the best way to treat a toddler at this stage developing clear boundaries is very important you need to find a CURRENCY to work with. negotiate with her and if there's a toy she likes take it away everytime she does have a fit. this will make her aware of her behaviour and at this age kids do learn fast so try finding out what she loves and use it as a currrency, if she wants it back she should behave....

Answer 7

Whatever they're having a fit about DONT LET THEM WIN. under any circumstances. If you let them win every fit it will just lead to more fits. But with them if they are having a fit say you'll take away something that they usually have. Like no cookies after dinner and so on. But if your about to go somewhere fun for the child like your about to go to the park and she starts having a fit. Just tell her we're not going to the park.

Answer 8

ignore her and take her out of the situation.

so, if she is pitching a fit at target, then drop your purchases and take her home. this way she will see that throwing a tantrum in a store means no more shopping.
or, if someone else is with you, then they can finish shopping and you can just take her out to the car to wait. (very boring for a kid)

if you're at home, then take her to her room and keep her there until she can relax and calm down.

if she's at someone else's house, then take her home.

basically, take her out of the tantrum environment.

take care.

Answer 9

She's getting your attention by doing this. It's nearly impossible to reason with a child this age... So, time outs, or just make her realize you're not going to listen to her and give her your attention while she's doing it. It won't be a quick fix. As for the hitting, I personally would scold her for that. And again, time out....

Answer 10

i have a 5 and a 2 year old and i have learned to ignore them. it is the hardest thing in the world to do, but they learn that they cannot control the situation but a tantrum.