Whoever suggested 'don't laugh' to break tantrums THANK YOU!

[joyfulspike]

I read a thread about tantrums a while ago. Ds has started having tantrums that would make your average diva envious!!

Yesterday while in mid flow, I caught his eye and said 'don't laugh', he started to giggle but that was quickly replaced by the tantrum, I kept it up, saying don't laugh and stop smiling, and he kept laughing and trying to cry at the same time, eventually gave up and the tantrum soon ended!

It worked twice this morning to varying degrees, but it does seem to make them shorter.

So thank you, I wish I could remember who suggested it in the first place to make it personal.

[cyteen]

Haha, that's brilliant! 'Don't laugh' still works on me (in that it elicits instant laughter), but hadn't thought about trying it out on a little'un.

[joyfulspike]

its amazing, they do a kind of huh? mid tantrum and start breifly giggling. I can't beleive it works!

[Miggsie]

...it was my DH...
"I do not want to see the corners of your mouth turn up, not one little bit!" he says. "One giggle and you are history!"

Yes, it's one of his best parenting strategies.
I'll tell him you used it to good effect!

He also makes coins appear out of kid's ears when they kick up a stink, but I did not recommend that as most people can't just do that after reading mumsnet.

His Dad used to do it. The other one, when they are off on a paddy is to jump up, gaze into middle distance, point and say "did you see that?!". Drives them crazy!

[mybestfriendiscalledstig]

It's fab isn't it? I'm always amazed how well it works...

[2point4kids]

Brilliant ideas! I am definitely going to try them

[Minkus]

I read the same thread joyfulspike and we use this tactic quite a bit now too! It really does work- "Don't you dare smile little Mr Minkus!" in a tongue in cheek sort of sly voice works amazingly well and normally ends up with us chasing each other around seeing who can say "Don't smile!" the most.

So THANK YOU to Mr and Mrs Miggsie!

[TheArmadillo]

Is ds the only one who this doesn't work on?

He thinks we are taking the piss and it winds him up more.

[mckenzie]

will it work with whinging too?
My two DCs both seems to be trying for the gold medal in whinging and whining and it's really getting me down.