NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Travel
  • Home & Away
  • Podcasts
  • Win
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Travel
  • Home & Away
  • Podcasts
  • Win
  • Video
Subscribe
Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Boy born with white skin and blonde hair leaves his Jamaican and Asian parents stumped

Tablets and children; Getting the right balance

Tablets and children; Getting the right balance

Boost your child’s brain by cooking

Boost your child’s brain by cooking

Family holiday fun

Family holiday fun

{headline}

{headline}

Puppy love: Picking the perfect pet

Puppy love: Picking the perfect pet

How much TV is too much for toddlers?

How much TV is too much for toddlers?

Nutritious meal ideas to feed your fussy toddler

Nutritious meal ideas to feed your fussy toddler

{headline}

{headline}

5 great ways to keep fit when you have a toddler

5 great ways to keep fit when you have a toddler

How to stop a toddler from swearing

How to stop a toddler from swearing

Sam Armytage: stepmum in crisis!

Sam Armytage: stepmum in crisis!

UNCOVERED: Home and Away’s real-life dads!

UNCOVERED: Home and Away’s real-life dads!

Zoe Ventoura’s rare motherhood confession

Zoe Ventoura’s rare motherhood confession

Grant Denyer’s touching tribute to daughters

Grant Denyer’s touching tribute to daughters

Carrie Bickmore's relatable parenting nightmare

Carrie Bickmore's relatable parenting nightmare

  1. Home
  2. Parenting

How to tame a toddler tantrum

How to end the drama with your sanity intact. - by Team New Idea
  • 10 Nov 2017
How to tame a toddler tantrum
Getty Images

It seems to happen overnight – your precious bundle of newborn joy has become a kicking, screaming, biting, hitting, bundle of terror. But don’t lose hope, there are many ways you can avoid the dreaded tantrum. Here are some simple tips on managing what is completely normal toddler behaviour.

1. ELIMINATE SITUATIONS 

Where you know your child will feel overwhelmed, or in places that are not child-friendly, simply avoid. It cannot always be avoided but when possible choose more suitable outings.

2. SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES

When children know what is expected of them, they begin to understand appropriate parameters and are more likely to comply.

3. ENSURE CONSEQUENCES ARE CONSISTENT
It’s important to be aware of your child’s level of understanding and respond appropriately. You cannot have the same expectations of a two-year-old that you would of a four-year-old. They need to be realistic expectations.

4. KEEP YOUR COOL

Always model acceptable and appropriate behaviours because you are by far her greatest influence. If you begin to feel frustrated and you know your child will see that in you, walk away and then re-engage again when you feel calmer.

5. BE PROACTIVE AND TIMELY

Don’t wait until things have escalated or it will be harder to calm your child. When it comes to sharing, get involved and tackle situations where children do not yet have the skill to share. ‘Your turn, my turn’ models a positive situation where everyone’s needs are met or you could always set a timer and inform your little one that when the timer goes off it is then her turn to pass the toy over. This gives your child a sense of power over the situation.

6. POSITIVELY ENGAGE YOUR CHILD

When she’s losing it, make eye contact, grasp her hand gently or put your hand on her shoulder. Making some kind of physical contact lets her know you are there and that her safety is paramount.

7. ALLOW TIME TO COOL DOWN

Children are incapable of taking in what you are saying when they are in a heightened state of stress, anger or frustration.

8. SHOW EMPATHY

Acknowledge that your child is upset with empathy and affection. Respond to their feelings and give a couple of options of what to do, instead of telling the child what not to do. It’s also important to give opportunities to express their feelings to let the child communicate and then move on.

9. Validate

Validate your child’s feelings and then reinforce the boundary. When she responds more calmly give some praise.

  • Parenting
  • Activities For Toddlers

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Boy born with white skin and blonde hair leaves his Jamaican and Asian parents stumped

Tablets and children; Getting the right balance

Tablets and children; Getting the right balance

Boost your child’s brain by cooking

Boost your child’s brain by cooking

Family holiday fun

Family holiday fun

{headline}

{headline}

Puppy love: Picking the perfect pet

Puppy love: Picking the perfect pet

How much TV is too much for toddlers?

How much TV is too much for toddlers?

Nutritious meal ideas to feed your fussy toddler

Nutritious meal ideas to feed your fussy toddler

{headline}

{headline}

5 great ways to keep fit when you have a toddler

5 great ways to keep fit when you have a toddler

How to stop a toddler from swearing

How to stop a toddler from swearing

Sam Armytage: stepmum in crisis!

Sam Armytage: stepmum in crisis!

UNCOVERED: Home and Away’s real-life dads!

UNCOVERED: Home and Away’s real-life dads!

Zoe Ventoura’s rare motherhood confession

Zoe Ventoura’s rare motherhood confession

Grant Denyer’s touching tribute to daughters

Grant Denyer’s touching tribute to daughters

Carrie Bickmore's relatable parenting nightmare

Carrie Bickmore's relatable parenting nightmare

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Shop This Offer
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!