How to handle Your Typical Toddler and their tantrums?

There comes a point in time in which your child no longer seems to think you hung the moon, and it happens sooner than you think! Suddenly, every time you turn around, everything you say, and everything you do evokes the same response from your toddler: "No!"

If that isn't enough to get you to give in and give them whatever they want, the gloves are off: its temper tantrum time! Screaming, throwing themselves on the floor, holding their breath, hitting anything and anyone in their path, nothing is off limits

The good news is that, for a typical child everything is just the way it should be...you haven't done anything wrong! You're just raising an independent toddler who is trying to find her way in the world and, like most stages of child development, with some consistency and love, this one will be over before you know it!

As awful as they may seem, temper tantrums are generally pretty short. On average, a typical meltdown from a toddler lasts anywhere between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. They come on quickly, some even unexpectedly, but they usually fizzle out pretty fast. Tantrums are a very normal response from a toddler when something stands in their way.

Whether it's frustration with learning a new skill or asserting their independence in the only way they know how, all that kicking and screaming is their way of expressing emotions that they haven't figured out how to express yet! Even when you know this, even when you accept it, it doesn't change the fact that no matter how quickly tantrums last, they can certainly be frustrating and embarrassing for parents.

So what should you do? How can you put an end to these tantrums once and for all? Although there's no quick and easy method that will magically stop the tantrums, there are a few steps that you can take with a typical toddler to lay the groundwork for a more appropriate response.

Most importantly, you have to stay calm. Responding to your child's frustration and anger with frustration and anger will only feed that fire. Instead, look at the situation and determine what the issue is and work to problem-solve it together.

If it's because they're tired, the solution is simple! But what about other reasons? Are they frustrated because they can't do something? Talk to them about their feelings, and tell them that you want to help them. Did you tell them no and they are upset because they didn't get their way

Calmly explain what's going on, empathize with their feelings, but remain firm.  If the tantrum continues, tell them that you'll talk to them when they calm down and then ignore the behavior, ensuring that they are safe and cannot hurt themselves. Regardless of the reason, the more calmly you respond, and the more consistent you are, the quicker they'll see that tantrums aren't the way to get your attention.

Temper tantrums and toddlers go hand in hand, every toddler has them! Some have a few, while others have a lot, but all toddlers at some point in time throw a fit. So don't be embarrassed! When you feel like everyone is staring at you, look for the one parent reacting with empathy for you

There's always one! For bigger concerns, or tantrums that have been going on for too long, your pediatrician is a wealth of information! In most cases, with time and maturity, temper tantrums will fade away and your toddler will grow into an emotionally expressive preschooler, verbalizing her feelings about anything and everything!

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