Tantrums

My 2 year old is also having tantrums and showing some of these same behaviors. Pediatrician said time outs are pointless at this age because they don’t understand yet. She told me to give choices. I personally tell him to let it out it’s okay to be mad and when he is done and ready to play to come over by me. I let him have his time and “ignore” the situation at hand.

Put him down and walk away. At 2 they are testing to see what works. They don't need punishments at this age. They need to know that a tantrum doesn't work. If they don't get what they want when they throw a tantrum it will stop. If they get what they want when they throw a tantrum they will keep doing it because it worked.

@Anna but how can I put him down if he is kicking and throwing anything that is near him? I don't want him to get injured or to destroy thw whole house?

My little one sometimes gets like this, it’s really hard. I put her down but stay nearby. If she starts destroying things I grab her arms to stop her and tell her to stop, but otherwise try remain calm myself. She eventually just rolls on the floor for a while so I walk away for a little bit to have a breather. After a couple minutes I will just go past and ask if she wants a cuddle or try distract her, “do you want to go for a ride on your bicycle?” If it doesnt work I walk away and wait a few more minutes and try again.

He is at this age completely unable to self regulate his emotions. He biologically *needs* a caregiver to help him calm down and understand what’s going on. Time outs and other punishments don’t work at this age, and it’s not bad behaviour- his brain is still developing and he’s just trying his best x

Timeouts don’t work. There’s load of parenting toddlers help on Instagram with some great tips. He sounds like he’s struggling to regulate his emotions. One tip… Next time he has a tantrum get down to his level and ask him to name what he is feeling and help him to work it out. Then ask him where he can feels it - tummy, head, etc. Then say “Ok, mommy will sit with you whilst you feel “sad”” or whatever. Then sit there and see what happens. If you can get this to become a habit, it works like clockwork.

Read ‘There’s No Such thing as Naugnty’ by Kate Silverton. Or audiobook. She explains what is going on for toddlers and how we can help them to self-regulate. A really helpful read and it explains why time outs aren’t recommended my child psychologists.

I had the same , my lil boy would have big tantrum for no reason at all , I did find by experience that timeout doesn’t work so I started having a different approach I let him scream wherever we are (dont be afraid to let him/she cry in public people know and understand ) and now we are in a much better place , if he start having a tantrum I just let it be being next to him the calmer I can and when he stops I just ask him if he wants to play or do whatever he wants I noticed way less tantrum and I try to find a way to get both of us happy no timeout they might work when they are older definitely not now. If she start kicking or biting I can suggest to ask him to breath slowly and stop what he is doing, at start she won’t listen but then she’ll get used to it and finally will calm herself automatically. Try not to get angry when they are just makes them feel more upset they need a calm figure to calm themself.