HELPFUL HACKS
How to deal with kids’ temper tantrums By Cara Johnson-Bader
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has plenty of sleep, has been fed, and you are hy is it always in the middle of both ready for the adventure before you. a grocery store that your child 1. Set expectations with your child – decides to enter a power struggle Make sure you and your child are on the with you? All because he wants same page, such as, “We are going to the birthday cake when it is not his birthday, or a grocery store to get food for our family. candy bar, or a LEGO set, or _________ When we get home we can snuggle in our (fill in what triggers your little one to meltdown fort and read stories with a flashlight.” at a store)! This will help your child have something to As a parent, these moments are stressful and look forward to, as quality time with you is embarrassing, and often tricky to navigate. Cara Johnson-Bader always a preferred event. Please know that you are not alone. In a recent 2. Manage your emotions – How you react during a study, families shared that managing their child when she temper tantrum can either calm the situation or worsen misbehaves is one of their top struggles as a parent. While it. Research tells us that when parents react harshly, I wish I had and could share a magic wand that magically children become more upset, hurt, and scared. It is makes all temper tantrums end, I do have a few tips to help more difficult for them to calm down. Your reaction you navigate and defuse these tricky moments. sets the tone for how your child will respond during a Check your expectations – Make sure your expectation temper tantrum. for your child is realistic. Bringing an overtired two-year-old 3. Talk about feelings – Recognizing and naming to the grocery store will most likely result in a meltdown or feelings is a wonderful way to help your child begin two. Before heading out for errands, ensure your little one managing his feelings in a well-balanced manner. Talk about feelings daily. As an example, say things like, “I see that you are feeling sad right now. How about a hug?” 4. Be a detective – Understanding why your child had a temper tantrum will help you figure out how to respond. Misbehavior is a child’s way of communicating and reaching out to you. You have a lot of practice in decoding your own feelings and have learned how to manage them, but your child is still learning how to deal with her feelings. Try taking a step back for a minute to see the situation from your child’s point of view. It is easier to respond to a temper tantrum in a calm and supportive manner when you understand what caused the reaction. Ask yourself what triggered the temper tantrum. Is your little one overtired, hungry, overstimulated? There may be simple things you can do help your child get her needs met. 5. Think of a temper tantrum as an opportunity – to listen to, care for, teach, and coach your child. You will find it easier to navigate a meltdown. Also, you will reinforce positive behavior patterns, enhance your communication with your child, and experience fewer meltdowns at the grocery store. Cara Johnson-Bader is the Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences at New Horizon Academy and mother of two young boys. Learn more about New Horizon Academy at newhorizonacademy.net. 8 MAY/JUN 2021 | Idaho Family Magazine
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