to get through a day without dd having massive tantrums

[mermaids21]

Hi, my dd is 3 and is a very lively, spirited little girl. However, over the past 4/5 months she regularly has stonking great tantrums - usually 6 or 7 a day and I am at a loss as to what to do. The smallest request, bathtime, leaving the playground, getting dressed etc leads to a shouted 'no, I won't!' and then the whole thing starts all over. I have tried the naughty step but she gets off constantly. Have tried the putting her in a different room for 3 minutes but she just goes crazy and I feel awful. Does any one have any advice, I feel like bursting into tears because it's ruining what should be lovely times we spend together and I feel, through exhasution, that I've become pretty ineffectual. Any advice?? Thanks.

MY DS had terrible tantrums at that age and still does now he's four, but less often. Sometimes there's nothing you can do, just let it run its course, sometimes a firm hug helps whilst they are in mid flow, sometimes I send him ot his room to calm down.

The latter works best now as I am removing his audience- much less fun for him when he is tantrumming on his own in an empty room!

Apart from all that, it can be horribly stressful and makes you feel like a failure, which you are not. I read somewhere that tantrums just mean that their emotions overwhelm them and feel out of control and they panic which makes them worse. Very common whether you are a perfect mother or a terribe mother or somewhere in between.

Don't blame yourself, just stay firm and be the adult. Remember that there are other mothers (like me!) who know exactly how bad it feels and how demoralising it make your day. Big sympathy from moi.

Went through this but not quite as often. Found taking a toy away for the rest of the day was an effective method as mine wouldn't sit on the naughty step either! Good luck and if it's any consolation she WILL grow out of this.

Thanks, helps to know it's all quite usual. I just find it really embarrassing! Yesterday she had a huge tantrum in the playground while picking up older dd. She actually started hitting me which I immediately told her off for which meant she started howling and sobbing - was awful! Came home all tearful (me that is!) and very aware of all the looks we were getting