The Best Temper Tantrums Include Snot Blowing
Part of parenting a toddler is dealing with temper tantrums. They all have them, whether it is occasionally or hourly. The severity and length of the tantrums also varies depending on the child. Typically, a temper tantrum is born from frustration. Honestly, some of us handle frustration better than others do and so it is with toddlers. Over the years, I have witnessed some real dandies having provided daycare to numerous children and foster care to nearly a hundred children. The best temper tantrums include snot blowing, kicking, and screaming. I mean, if you are going to go to the trouble to have a tantrum then do it right. My nephew would become so hysterical that he would actually turn blue and pass out. Startled onlookers would offer to help or seek emergency assistance. My sister would look at them calmly and say, “I am an RN; he’ll breathe once he goes unconscious.”
Sure, it can be embarrassing when your toddler has a tantrum in public. Well meaning observers like to offer their advice. Angry bystanders tell you to paddle your kid’s butt and the screaming will stop. Ah, if only it were so simple. Spanking your child in public today, would probably result in someone calling the police. If the child happens to be a foster or daycare child, you can’t use corporal punishment anyway. If you are in a store and your child starts screaming, crying, blowing snot, and jumping up and down, in a full-blown temper tantrum, what should you do?
Leave the store immediately. Unless you absolutely must have a grocery item right then, leave the store. Take your child out to your vehicle and strap your child into an approved child safety car seat. If you need to wait for someone else, open the windows or turn on the air-conditioning in the vehicle. You can either head home, or wait 15 minutes until the child cools down, and try again. Do not give in and buy an item to appease your child. If you do, the next temper tantrum could be worse.
Strapping your child into the car seat protects the child from self-injury and gives the child time to calm down. At home, you can try rocking your child in a rocking chair. Hold on tight so that you aren’t kicked or head banged. Again, do not give in to whatever caused the tantrum, or you will perpetuate the problem.
Photo Credit: Julia Fuller 2006
by Julia Fuller
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