to expect DS aged 4.8 to have stopped tantrumming by now

[tripletipple]

He had another major meltdown in a shop today. Normally I avoid shops with him at all costs but today thought that it might be ok if I explained to him beforehand exactly what we were going in for and nothing else. Wrong!

It's not just shops though, can happen at any mention of the word "no" or any disguised version of it.

Should this not have stopped by now? Do you have a child of this age who still has tantrums or did you have one who has since stopped?

AIBU to think he is too old to still be doing this?

I found on many occasions that I've managed to defuse a situation with similar techniques to SirSugar .

Other times it seems to enrage them further - DS especially seems to be actively wanting a fight at the minute and any reaction we give is just wrong at the minute.

I don't know about you OP but I'd kill for a silver bullet - something that worked every time in every situation for that one DC - rather than a whole bag of techniques that might work or might make it worse that particular time.

My six year old had major tantrum this morning lying on the lying on the floor screaming all because her brother was dressed first! It doesn't happen that often anymore and they only last a few mins now

I have to say though that neither DS has ever attacked me or their father when having tantrums. DS1 once smacked me and in a fit of peak and he got such a telling off he has never tried it again. I don't know how I would handle a physically violent child OP. You have my sympathy. Our tantrums are just strops really which include crying and stomping about but they are over in minutes and then it's business as usual!