'It Happens

Help Yourself

To all the moms out there, who have lived through many a tantrum...and had a few themselves.

It's okay to not be okay sometimes.

Your kids should know that too.

"Better out than in." As my husband would say, but normally he is not referring to tantrums. 

Usually he is referring to gas!

He is very poetic;)

EXPAND ON TANTRUMS.

Glitter Bottle. As seen before, our glitter bottle works well, for lightly stormy days. 

Attachment Parenting. Severe tantrums require a heftily loaded attachment parenting toolkit. Our long-term goal is to teach our children 'empathy' and to do that, you have to be empathetic.

~Ignore other people while your kid is freaking out...and don't ignore your kid or walk away

~Believe that your child's emotions are valid (start using Terrific Two, not Terrible Two)

~A timely hug (ask if child is willing) is likely a well-needed solution

~Behaviours indicate an underlying issue (hungry, sleepy, angry) Always good to check your own behaviour/attitude that day and see if you might be rubbing off on the family!

~Avoid "doing to" (training) and try "working with" (understanding your child & her age)

A friend recommended, 'Unconditional Parenting' by Alfie Kohn which explains all the above in detail.  

NOTE* Your parenting style is not 'weak' because you stick around for a tantrum. 

It takes a lot of empathy to stay and support your child through their storm. 

In turn, when you are having a bad day, your child will surprise you with their empathic response.