Toddler Tantrum Advice
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I agree, deff don’t always give him what he wants otherwise he will think throwing a fit will work. Similar to Neisha, we try to talk to our son to try to calm him down. We have been saying stuff like “I know you want that, it’s hard when you don’t get what you want.” Or just try to ask him questions about other stuff he is interested in to distract him. It is also okay to give them space to process their emotions. They are still trying to figure out how emotions work. We have also tried to say stuff like “it’s okay if you are upset. I am right here next to you whenever you are ready.”. Stuff like that has worked for us! Deff won’t take the tantrums away, but it has made it easier to handle at times.
Be kind but firm. Redirect and sometimes giving an option between two things helps. If transitions are hard, like it’s time to leave the park, give them a heads up. You can even use a timer. Say in 10 minutes we’re going to leave, then say in 5, then say you can go down the slide 1 more time. Then you leave. This takes time and being consistent. Show them you follow through and mean what you say. Give them time to adjust and let them know it’s ok to be upset. Mommy gets upset when she can’t have what she wants. Maybe have a saying like “it’s ok, maybe next time” that you can all repeat. We need to show them how to manage disappointment.
If it’s something like leaving the playground, I would explain what we are doing and why we are doing it and that it’s ok to be sad, and then try to distract. But if it’s something small, I try to accommodate him. They are still little and like to feel some control, but obviously can’t always get their way.
Talk to him in a manner where he can understand. Talk to him face to face and let him know throwing tantrums isn't going to make him get his way. Let him know how much it stresses you out and how you would like for him to calm down. Say all of this if he can comprehend well. Kids sometimes need you to be intimate with them. On another note, don't give him what he wants every time he cries. Talk to him face face like I said before and let him know if he doesn't calm down, he will receive consequences. DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS AND GIVE HIM WHAT HE WANTS. Having a support system through all of this is going to make it easier. If other family members aren't disciplining him ass well, then your little boy is still going to throw tantrums. I think you should gather your parents and whoever watches or be around your son and have a discussion on how to discipline your child in a healthy manner. Good luck.