Among the struggles, all parents have to go through is dealing with their children's tantrums. Children are loveable and adorable but when tantrum strikes, it would be tough for parents to keep themselves from having their own meltdown too.
"Young kids -- namely those between the ages of 1 and 4 -- haven't developed good coping skills yet. They tend to just lose it instead," Ray Levy, Ph.D., a Dallas-based clinical psychologists and co-author of "Try and Make Me! Simple Strategies That Turn Off the Tantrums and Create Cooperation."
Levy stressed that for children between 1 and 2, tantrums spring from their struggle to communicate their needs for milk, toys or diaper change. Unfortunately, due to their lack of language skills, parents missed to pick up their clues and they throw a fit. For older toddlers, tantrums are more of a power struggle.
"By the time kids are 3 or 4, they have grown more autonomous," Levy said. "They're keenly aware of their needs and desires -- and want to assert them more. If you don't comply? Tantrum city."
If you find yourself struggling with your child when in the following scenarios, Parenting.com has some working tips for you.
1. Won't buckle his car seat. - Make it fun. You can play with your child to distract him and slowly buckle his car seat or you can have a race of who buckles up first and the winner will get a price.
2. Shy away from PDA. - There are times when children just withdraw from their sweet gestures. They no longer give you the hugs and kisses that they used to give to you freely. In this case, demonstrate your own PDAs. You can play with your child and make up a story about someone not giving a hug or a kiss and stressed that you are different, then hug or kiss your little one until he reciprocates the gesture.
3. Does not brush his teeth. - Make it simple and straightforward. You can state that he should brush his teeth because the dentist says so. Dish the "no" response by not asking your child if he is ready for a toothbrush, instead, just say, "It's toothbrush time."
4. Does not eat veggies. - Vegetables are not really appealing to most children because it tastes stronger when cook. So, prepare it in another way that would have an appeal to them. For instance, fry their potatoes or serve yogurt or salad dressing with matchstick-cut carrots, celery or broccoli.
5. Does not come when called. - When calling your child suggest a waiting time. You can say, " baby you need to come here in 5 minutes," and after five minutes you can demand him to come immediately. You can take him by the hand and teach him that whenever called you expect him to come over.
Remember these tips to avoid meltdowns the next time tantrums strike your child.
