Major Tantrums

[Natedogg]

My DS is 13 months old. He's yet to start walking but climbs and crawls well. In the last few days he's started throwing huge tantrums over the smallest things. So if you move him away from the washing machine, or take away the phone that he's playing with, or don't let him touch a boiling cup of tea, or if he can't open a box. It's sort of hilarious how extreme they are but also REALLY intense. He'll tuen bright red and arch his back screaming. It feels like it's come on over night, although he is getting his molars through at the moment so I don't know if that's relevant?

I was just wondering if you had any advice on how to deal with them? Ignore? Distract? Cuddle? Mixture of all of the above? I don't know if I'm overthinking it but I suppose I don't want how I respond now to become the blueprint for any future tantruming. It's come as a bit of a surprise...the terrible two's a but early!

My 18mo has just started throwing almighty tantrums. Distraction works best if you can get in quick enough. Also pre-empting what might set him off and avoiding it or having a distraction already set up. Eg you want him to move away from the oven so get some pots and pan and wooden spoon out and coax him away with those.

However, sometimes nothing works and in that case I try to sit with DS telling him that I'm there and I understand that he is cross/upset/frustrated etc and that I'm there whe he needs a cuddle. Then just ride it out until he's ready to cuddle. Had to do it in a garden centre cafe recently! It was packed too.

Disclaimer: No idea if any of this is working as he's only 18mo. Could be setting myself up for monster, just seems the most instinctive thing to me at the moment.

I let them cry it out. Only so much ypu can do really. Sometimes when it all gets too much I dont want to be distracted out of it, I want to scream at how unfair life is!!!!! And feel better afterwards. Kids might just need to let it out!!!

No advice but DD 15 months is like this at the moment, tends to be when she's overstimulated or over tired. Distract, snack, calm down with quiet activities is my theory. Not helpful when the tantrum is over me trying to put a nappy on.

Thanks so much for the advice! I guess I'll do a mixture of all of the above. I went to an appointment today and there was an 11 month in the pram next to us. She was all smiles and so chilled, meanwhile my baby was a red ball of rage trying to do a Houdini act out of his pram. Zzz it's so tiring.

I ignore them or stand and watch them with a stern look on my face until they stop then tell them to say sorry.