Clever hacks to diffuse your toddler’s tantrum
Even the sweetest toddler can be volatile and hard to predict at times. Here’s how to diffuse your toddler’s temper tantrum.
Just like adults, toddlers can have moody spells and sometimes, these spells can escalate into a full-blown tantrum. Here are a few ways you can diffuse your toddler’s temper tantrum.
Keep hunger at bay
Often, the cause of a tantrum isn’t the Anna doll that your little princess must have Right. This. Instant. It’s because she’s hungry. A banana might not seem like an obvious answer to doll envy, but you may find she calms down if she’s well fed.
Use reverse psychology
Given toddlers’ inclination towards stubbornness, telling your tot that he probably won’t be able to do something – like go to the toilet or lay the table – may be just the incentive he needs to get going.
Choose your battles
Try the “adult” test: are you fighting over something that will matter when your daughter is an adult? If it’s dirty hair yet again, rather let her skip the hair wash. If it’s manners and kindness then take a stand.
Water is tantrum kryptonite
It makes tempers dissipate almost instantly. A bath or splash in a pool is ideal, but even getting your little one’s feet wet will do the trick.
Don’t rush
Since time is usually a key issue, a toddler’s unwillingness to focus and tendency to dawdle is less irritating if you know that it’s not going to make you late.
Dinnertime playdate
If you’re battling to get your child to eat anything other than pasta, it may inspire him to be a little more adventurous if he can see his friend enjoying the meal.
Shop with a list – of your child’s future birthday pressies
Children are less likely to nag if you assure them that they can have what they’ve asked for at a later date, like a birthday or Christmas. It makes shopping much easier – you’ll also know exactly what to get him when the time comes.
Get competitive
Toddlers appear to have an innate hatred of tidying up – unless you bet them that they won’t be able to clear away their toys as fast as you can. This strategy may work in other situations, too. For example, you could make it a race to see who can get into bed fastest.
