We don’t call them the terrible twos for nothing. One minute your child will be acting well behaved, and in a blink of an eye, you have a screaming toddler on your hands. While this is normal terrible twos behavior, toddler screaming tantrums can be exhausting.
So what do you do to handle a screaming child? How do you learn how to stop toddler tantrums? Here are five foolproof ways to tame your child during a meltdown.
Sometimes you just need a good cry. And sometimes, you just have to let toddlers wear themselves out. Ignoring the child will give them space so they can work out their frustrations on their own. When your toddler is throwing a screaming tantrum, there’s often nothing you can do to make the situation better, so it’s best just to let them be.
Choose to approach them, but only when they have settled down and visibly regained their composure. Toddlers don’t understand how to cope with their emotions yet. If you can, figure out what’s bothering them. Then, talk to them using a calm, soothing voice.
If you sense toddler screaming tantrums coming on, swiftly causing a distraction is sometimes the best way to avoid a scene. The key is to get your child engaged in something they’re interested in so they forget what they were upset about in the first place.
Once upon a time, parents kept little books, toys, and snacks with them at all times. Today, parents break out the iPad in case of emergency. In fact, that might be the greatest gift Steve Jobs ever gave the world. When dealing with toddler tantrums, tablets can be your secret weapon.
More than anything, your child will want to feel secure when they are in the middle of a tantrum. Emotions can be exhausting, and just giving your child a hug may help them settle down.
Being hungry or sleepy is a huge source of toddler screaming tantrums. If your child is hungry or didn't sleep well, offer them a nap and a snack. They'll feel good as new in no time.
Ultimately, the terrible twos will prove to be a passing phase, but that doesn’t make toddlers and tantrums any easier to handle in the moment. But with these simple tantrum tips, dealing with toddler screaming tantrums will get a little bit easier every day.
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