How do you control temper in a 2 year old girl?

Question

Her dad is portuguese, who are well known for being calm.
Her mum is english, but of irish origin, who are well known for their temper.

Answer 1

With my little girl who will be two in November, I have to keep telling myself to remain calm and try to defuse the situation. A lot of times it is just a matter of getting her to change her mind. Or to see things differently, change the subject. Time outs work really well in my house. I think it depends on the kid though. My mom was such a big yeller when I was growing up, so I try not to fall into the habit. So since I don't yell much, when I do, my daughter knows I mean business. Good Luck!

Yeah know, from terrible two's we just move on to horrible three's! Haa, haa!

Answer 2

Family of origin doesn't matter.
When she is calm, sit her down and explain to her that her temper tantrums won't be tolerated. If she is at home, she will be put in isolation somewhere, if you are out, you will immediately return to the car and go home.
Then do it. Even if you only have half a block of cheese and some moldy spaghetti in the fridge and you really have to go the store. Even if you need diapers. Even if you haven't been out for a really long time. Even if you're in the middle of a movie you paid for. Even if you're at Disney World.
Then, never, ever throw a temper tantrum of your own.
People do what works. If you make sure tantrums NEVER, EVER work. They will end.
Good luck. My daughter threw tons of fits around age 18 mos. I put her in her room until she was done. She was too short to reach the doorknob. They tapered off fairly quickly. She started again when she was eight, and that lasted a year - she was a lot stronger then. One day, she went to run away. She was packing a suitcase and she went to get a loaf of bread. 'What are you doing?" I asked her.
"Running away." (tearfully)
"Why are you taking the bread?"
"So I'll have something to eat."
"Well, that's my bread."
Cold, yes. But I wasn't putting up with any more of that.
She's almost eighteen, now. She turned out great.

Answer 3

1. remain calm, she is only testing you, she wants to know how far she can go, and how much she can actually manipulate your through tantrums/crying/...

2. time outs are a good idea, tell her something like: "now because you've misbehaved, you have to remain 5 minutes in your room", and stick to it, no matter what

3. try a punishment/reward system:
- if she's misbehaving, take one of her favorite toys, and tell her you'll keep her until she's good/30 minutes/a day ... depends on what works better .... I'd rather go for the "1 hour", because she has to learn that what she does has consequences - that way she'll think twice next time before throwing a temper again ....
- respectively, try to "bribe" her with something like stickers - all children like stickers, so maybe it will work if you say "if you're good(/do as you're told/stop crying ....) you can get this sticker here" ...

hope this works!!! I wish you luck!

Answer 4

Her, or her parents, ethnicity isn't important.

The important thing to remember is that throwing temper tantrums is normal for a 2 year old. It is their way of expressing their emotions. They are not emotionally mature enough to express their needs in any other way.

While she's throwing her temper: Keep her as safe as possible and remove any audience. In other words, place her somewhere that she can't hurt herself, like on her bed or in the middle of the floor and then leave the room. You'll be amazed at how quickly she stops yelling when she doesn't think anyone is listening!

Good luck!

Answer 5

I've got a (nearly) two year old boy, and I'd like to know the answer too. Probably just a case of the terrible two's, we've tried lots of things, ignoring the child is probably the best advice but very hard to do, it's horrible seeing your child so upset, even though they've just thrown stuff at you, or hit you, or broken something. Patience is the key, and always remember you are the boss not the child.

Answer 6

My daughter is 2 and I think the temper tantrums just go with the territory. I don't think you can control it because her temper tantrums are her frustrations and in order to become a well-managed adult, she needs to be able to work through them herself. With our little girl, obviously when we are at home, we tell her if she's going to throw a fit she needs to go to her room. At first we would have to take her in there and tell her when she's finished she can come out. Now she will go in there herself when she gets mad, and come out when she's better and tell us "all done." I can't say as the fits are getting any less frequent--somedays are good, somedays are bad. However I think she's starting to learn to deal with her frustrations and emotions better. The tantrums are shorter.
When we are out and about, shopping or whatever, and a fit starts, we usually end up with a crying kid through the store until we can calm her down. So any suggestions you get about that, I will take into consideration also!
Good luck!

Answer 7

I dont think you can control temper you have to ignore it and then explain why its wrong when she calms down and if shes hurt anybody ask her to say sorry. At her age temper is a way of communicating when she feels out of control, when she can explain herself better verbally and you can discuss things it should start to improve.

Answer 8

Time outs. If kids are ignored when they're behaving badly, after a while they learn that the temper tantrums don't get them what they want and will hopefully stop doing it.

Answer 9

She's two. She doesn't know better yet. I wouldn't start hardcore discipline until she is at least 3 or 4. As of now just do not reward her behavior with giving her what she wants. It never hurt a child to cry.

Answer 10

You can't control her temper so don't try.

Ignore the tantrum and stick to your guns about whatever got her into the tantrum in the first place. It can be embarassing in a public place, but if she knows she can get you with a tantrum she'll be embarassing you for many years to come.