Most days parenting is great, but there are those days where everything is going wrong and out children throw tantrums left and right. Sometimes as parents we are at a loss as to what to do to help them calm down. Well, keep reading as we have found 12 Toddler Hacks To Prevent Tantrums. Can I get an AMEN?! I know I could have used these when our children were going through their toddler tantrum days! So hopefully these will help you and save your sanity a bit! Us parents need to stick together, help each other out, and share tricks and tips we’ve learned over the years! So we hope you find these helpful in your time of need when your child is having a melt down from whatever is bothering them or what they aren’t able to get at the moment!
One of our children’s biggest tantrums happened in the middle of a department store when she wanted a candy bar. I said no, because it was close to lunch and she really didn’t need the chocolate bar. She threw herself in the floor and screamed and kicked like a wild animal. Everyone was looking and I was mortified as a parent. Luckily we got through it and I remember thinking I was never going into another store with her ever. I ate my words that very same day as we went to the grocery store. Parenting can be rough, but together we will get through it and look back on these days and laugh.
12 Toddler Hacks To Prevent Tantrums
Food – When your toddler is throwing a tantrum your first reaction should be food! Food seems to be the thing that will satisfy just about anyone. I always try to keep some crackers, a lolly pop, or a pack of veggies straws close at hand. Grab the snacks next time you feel your toddler slipping into a tantrum, it might help ease the tension at least for a little bit.
Toys – Next up on our 12 Toddler Hacks To Prevent Tantrums, is another great way to help prevent toddler tantrums is to offer a toy. I am not saying you should buy a specific toy everytime they melt down, but if we are home I simply grab a wooden spoon and pretend to be drumming. Usually that will help them to calm down faster and bring a smile to their face!
Breathing Techniques – One effective thing that worked with our daughter when she was younger and starting to have a tantrum, I would pick her up and make eye contact with her and quietly say “ok, takes a breath and breathe in slowly, then let it out”. This helped us both in those stressful times!
Distraction – The quickest way to prevent a toddler tantrum is a wonderful idea of distraction. This distraction can be anything from making silly faces, stomping your feet, clapping your hands, or anything you can think of that will take their minds off of losing theirs. One of the funniest memories I have is when one of our children was in the middle of a tantrum and causing a scene. I decided to throw one too and I sat on the floor and started to act like I was crying. She immediately stopped and looked at me as if I were crazy. Once I got her attention, I said “this is what you looked like. Pretty silly isn’t it?”. She shrugged and we both got up and finished our errands.
Change of Scenery – Are you so in tuned to your toddler and their tantrums that you know when one is coming up? It took me a few years to figure it out, but when I did, life got a little bit easier and I got a lot less flustered. When I know one is about to happen I act quickly and get a change of scenery. If you are home, the easiest place to go is the opposite of where you are now. For example, if you are inside then you would move to be outside. If you are in a store, then you can stop what you are doing and go outside. Fresh air might just do the trick. Continue reading for more Toddler Hacks To Prevent Tantrums.
Music – Quick, your child is about to have a tantrum and you need a diversion. The quick and easiest thing to do is to put on music. Turn it up a bit and it will help drown out their screaming meltdown, put them in a good mood, and be able to calm down. Baby Shark is a favorite around our house these days. Try to pick music that is fun, upbeat, and maybe a little silly.
Throw a Tantrum Yourself – I kinda touched on this a bit a little further up. One of the funniest ways I have been able to diffuse a toddler is by acting like a toddler and throwing a tantrum. You might get a few extra looks especially if you are out in public. It doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks, they aren’t coming home with you. What matters is that you can get your toddler under control.
Pick Your Battles – Sometimes the best way to deal with toddler tantrums is to let them have one. They do have to learn at some point that just because they throw one doesn’t mean you are automatically gonna give in to whatever their issue is. Learn to pick your battles. They need to know that, “NO”, is an answer they have to accept. We are almost to the end of our 12 Toddler Hacks To Prevent Tantrums, you aren’t going to want to miss these.
Laughter – My older kids are great at helping out with this one. When one of the younger kiddos decides they are going to cause a scene and have a tantrum, the older ones rush in and start doing anything they can to make the little one to laugh. Whether that is funny faces, funny noises, or just laughing. It usually does the trick and things can resume to normalcy.
Quiet Time – Sometimes when tantrums happen all we need is a little bit of quiet time. Time to sit and just be still. Maybe they don’t think about things on our level, but they do think and have pretty big emotions that sometimes they can’t figure out how to deal with them. As adults we can get cranky, hangry, and down right grouchy. We can throw fits and sometimes big tantrums. Being able to get to a place of getting still and quiet is a good thing.
Know Their Limits – Knowing when your toddler is about to break is a good place to be. They haven’t been in your life super long, but you at least know about how much they can handle before they lose their minds. Make sure you take in consideration nap times, meal times, and how long you are going to be out running errands. Same for if you are home. How long have they been up, playing, sitting still, or whatever they are doing. Knowing your child’s limits can go a long way!
Change Your Tone – Last but not least on 12 Toddler Hacks To Prevent Tantrums is for you, parents! The louder your child gets the quieter you should be. It almost comes to a point that you need to whisper in order to get their attention. Once you have their attention, they stop yelling and start listening. Then you can calmly and gently try to figure out why they are having a fit. Help them to understand that telling and screaming isn’t going to get them anywhere.
Parenting can be down right challenging at times when it comes to toddlers and their tantrums. Good thing we just hit on 12 Toddler Hacks To Prevent Tantrums that will help you cope with your toddler during those moments. Prevention is key but sometimes it doesn’t always work. What you need to keep in mind is that every parent everywhere has gone through this very same thing and you are never alone. It may seem like you are in that very moment, but you have the support of every parent! Take a deep breath mom and dad, you can do this! We hope these tips will help you in the present and future when dealing with your children. If so, let us know as we love to hear from our readers.
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