What to do when toddler

[chikp]

What do you do when your toddler has a tantrum? My little one threw them self on the floor today and just spent about 30 minutes crying. I tried everything I could think of, cuddles. Water. Food. Even resorted to peppa pig on my phone.

In public I'd crouch down on floor next to her, or find somewhere to sit with her, ignore what's going on around, and talk to her in a quiet whisper - little kids are so keen to hear what their parents have to say that if you lower your voice they stop crying quite often to hear what you have to say. Acknowledge their emotion - "You were having fun and you don't want to go home do you. I know its hard. We'll come back again next week, didn't we have a good time. You didn't want this to happen. I know" etc. Just sit with them. Then try and redirect their thoughts onto what will happen next, e.g. "I tell you what, we can go home on the bus and you can sit next to the window seat and when we get home we'll have a piece of toast and do some play dough" - things like that.

And also try and pre-empt tantrums before they happen - make sure their blood sugar is level throughout day with decent regular protein / fat filled meals and snacks. Give them plenty of fresh air. And try and avoid placing big demands on them when they are tired.

Walk away. As harsh as it sounds. Make sure they're safe where they can't harm themselves on anything and simply walk away. I don't entertain my DS rolling around the floor like a fish out of water having a paddy. He soon calms down.

Thank you all so much I will try these things next time. You're all so awesome for taking the time to help a stressed out mama!

I used to read a book. I carried a small one when we were out.

Cannot deal. Too much screaming and argh! So hard to not scream back!

Have you read any Janet Lansbury? I'm not a devotee, but I found her tantrum stuff quite helpful. From memory it was pretty much reminding yourself that you are an adult and not to take anything they do personally. Sometimes taking a breath and reminding myself that I'm an adult, and he is 3, is what I need to stay calm.