Christmas is almost here. Holiday season is one of the best times of the year, both for parents and children. It is a time for family gatherings, shopping, travelling and parties. However, small children often get exhausted and cranky during the busy schedule and start troubling their parents.
Following are some tips from Boston University child psychologist Dr. Jonathan Comer that help parents to manage their children's unwanted tantrums:
* Make a proper plan- It is better to travel when the child is awake and fresh. Avoid trips during the kid's nap time. Explain to the kid nicely the type of behavior you expect from him/her during the trip
* Interact with the child and appreciate him/ her for following your instructions through statements like "Thanks for holding my hands." Pay attention and respond while the child talks
* Fix a proper reward for good behavior. Before you start travelling discuss with the kid the gifts you are planning to get him/her , if behaved properly
* Plan and keep several methods to distract the child, like engaging the kid with a new toy or any activity he/she likes
* Talk to the child through a calm tone. Ignore children's tantrums and try to make them calm through positive statements like ""If you continue holding my hand, remember then you will earn an extra piece of candy when we land in Florida."
* When the child refuses to calm down, take him/her to a separate space like family bathrooms. Sit there quietly, and ignore the tantrums completely, until the child settles down itself.
Apart from these recommendations, following are some tips to manage someone else's child's tantrums:
* Do not mention about it directly or indirectly to the parent or child
* Try to ignore and remain calm
* Try to help the parent if you have some kind of distractions for the child like toys
