Everybody knows the uncomfortable feeling of being in a public place when a child starts throwing a tantrum for something that they want. Many parents know the specific struggle of having their own child start to tantrum in a public place. Usually, parents will end up giving the child the item they are crying for just to make it stop. Understandably so! However, here are a few tips that might help calm down a tantrum and hopefully prevent future tantrums from occurring!
- 1. If it is okay for your child to have the item, have them ask for it!
It can be tough for children to find the right words to get something they want. The next time you notice your child getting frustrated over wanting something in the grocery store, you can tell them “Say ‘Can I have the candy bar, please?’” and as soon as they say those words, you can say “Yes, you can!” Sometimes they just need a little guidance on how to appropriately ask for something they want!
2. If it is not okay for your child to have the item, offer something else in place of it!
The next time your child is at the doctor’s office and starts to throw a tantrum because they want to go to the park, you can try saying “First, we have to see the doctor but after we leave, you can have a piece of chocolate before dinner!” Kids can’t always have what they want when they want it, but offering something more attainable that they still enjoy can sometimes be the solution!
3. Wait it out!
Take a deep breath, and wait for them to calm down. When you wait out the tantrum and do not provide your child with the item they are wanting, it slowly helps them to realize that throwing a tantrum will not get them what they want. The idea is that every time a child begins to throw a tantrum and they immediately get the iPad that they were wanting, they will continue throwing tantrums in the future because they learn that tantrums get them what they want.
At the end of the day, trying to diffuse a tantrum on your own is a tough job to tackle. Remember to breathe and don’t be too hard on yourself if you can’t solve the problem immediately. Hopefully, these tips can help you to navigate future tantrums a little easier! Call us at TEAM 4 Kids if you have any further questions!
Annamaria Matic, RBT