Positive Parenting Method for Toddler Tantrums
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Handling a toddler tantrum is not for the weak and if you're getting started with positive/gentle parenting, it can be even harder. Here is how to react to a toddler tantrum with gentle parenting!
Take A Deep Breath: Yes, you! Before you respond to your child, take a deep breath. Find your center of gravity and don’t fire back with your first reaction (which likely is frustration).
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Modeling this for your children is important too. Children’s brains are working hard to develop and what they see is what they’ll learn. Scientists call this model neurons, which is just a fancy way to say their brain develops by watching you!
Hug It Out: I have to give my husband all the credit for this one. Ever since the kids were little when they would start to freak out he would give them a BIG squeeze. Every time he would they would instantly melt in his arms.
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That connection let them feel safe and feeling safe made their other problems start to fade. This doesn’t always work but it does break the tension. And for you as the parent, it gives you an easy way to calm yourself as well.
Acknowledge Feelings & Name Their Emotion (or explain what you see): “You seem super frustrated right now” is a great example of acknowledging their feelings and putting a name to their big emotions.
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Kids don’t automatically know what they are feeling or that it has a place and or name. Part of raising our children is to teach them how to handle these emotions. This falls into that category of practical life learning or teaching our children to regulate emotions.
Reflect & Redirect: “You are very frustrated right now because XYZ. I understand how frustrating that may seem” After sympathizing with your child, help to redirect them to a new activity.
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This may not always happen but most of the time by doing the above it makes it easier to move past the tantrum with a new plan.
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