"Don't laugh"

[Lazarou]

Who was it who suggested saying this as a tactic for stopping a tantrum in its tracks?

It really does work. Twice today it worked for me.

Whoever suggested it, you are a genius.

it does doesnt it!

also suggestion something anything really random-like a jog.worked great with ds yesterday

What's the tactic?

THe meltdown began because ds couldn't have a toy. I was in hurry to pick up ds2 from nursery. Ds1 did hte throwing himself to the floor thing, and then standing up and screaching. I said 'don't laugh' He laughed. I kept saying it all the way back to the carpark.
The random suggestion thing works too.

If this works you don't have full on devoted professional tantrumers.

Works on DS if he's just in a whingey, stroppy mode. NOT if he's having a full-blown screamer.

MrsStig, ds2 is far worse in the tantrum stakes so I have yet to see if it works with him.

My youngest is now 3, and was never as determined with tantrums as the other 2.

I think my tantrum days may be over. Touch wood.

This works on ds1 but only if he is not on full melt down which to be fair is very rare these days but it does work. He is just 5 BTW

Ah, you see. Mine are 2 and 3. I'm still on 'tantrum alert'

It works for us if I catch it in time, once we pass a point nothing works.

Oh it's fantastic isn't it?! We use it on ds1, who at 3.2 is a lot less tantrummy than he used to be, but it pretty much got me through the terrible two's without packing my bags!