Toddler Temper
Ok Parents,
My little guy has started something new the last two weeks or so. What he is doing is kinda like a mild temper tantrum (which I guess is good). Just as a reminder he is fifteen months old. If for example I take my cell phone away from him. He will look right at me and his face will turn purple and he kinda grunts in anger. Now I know that this is completely normal for somebody his age since he doesn't know how to articulate his displeasure this is how he handles it. The problem is I don't really have any idea how to deal with it. Do I say No again? Do I scold him for talking back in toddler language? I definitely don't want to spank him. How do I let him know that it is not acceptable to act like this and train him to better handle something when he is upset? I don't want to end up with a maniac one day when he grabs something off the store shelf and I have to put it back.
Sometimes it's very funny when he has his little tantrums I have to walk away because he cracks me up so bad. But I seriously don't want it to get out of control.
I guess one good thing he does is when he has something he isn't allowed to have and I ask "Can Mommy have it?" He will give it to me but if he doesn't want to he puts it in my hand but then he takes it back again and starts the tantrum.
Tell me how you guys handle this.
Thanks!
My little guy has started something new the last two weeks or so. What he is doing is kinda like a mild temper tantrum (which I guess is good). Just as a reminder he is fifteen months old. If for example I take my cell phone away from him. He will look right at me and his face will turn purple and he kinda grunts in anger. Now I know that this is completely normal for somebody his age since he doesn't know how to articulate his displeasure this is how he handles it. The problem is I don't really have any idea how to deal with it. Do I say No again? Do I scold him for talking back in toddler language? I definitely don't want to spank him. How do I let him know that it is not acceptable to act like this and train him to better handle something when he is upset? I don't want to end up with a maniac one day when he grabs something off the store shelf and I have to put it back.
Sometimes it's very funny when he has his little tantrums I have to walk away because he cracks me up so bad. But I seriously don't want it to get out of control.
I guess one good thing he does is when he has something he isn't allowed to have and I ask "Can Mommy have it?" He will give it to me but if he doesn't want to he puts it in my hand but then he takes it back again and starts the tantrum.
Tell me how you guys handle this.
Thanks!
hey...thanks for joining my 'hood!
as for cell phones and toddlers...you can't win. i bought so many toy cell phones. every shape and size known to man. nope, while he likes those very much, he really only wanted mine and his dads. he slobbered so badly on his dads that, he had to get a new phone. mine escaped his drooly wrath, it's the antennae that didn't survive!
but, no winning...and, not to be the bearer of bad news but, it's a long, long phase...good luck. maybe you'll find the perfect toy cell phone...or, maybe i'll just have to invent one! (well, you can, too. seeing as, i just had that idea on your blog!)
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You might think toddlers won't be able to differentiate between a toy phone and a real cell phone but nope, the toy just won't do. It's the real thing they are after. But what you need is patience and lots of it. And be consistent. If you do not like him playing with something, make it a rule and stick to it. Don't waver between giving in sometimes and not giving in at others because that will only confuse him. After a while through this way, he'll learn what he cannot have and what he can. Good luck!
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I recently wrote a post about some "blackhat" anti-whining techniques, but I think they apply more to older kids. At your child's age, the main thing that I found to always work was distraction. ADD and toddlers go hand in hand. That's just the way their brain works at that stage. Use it to your advantage. Do something completely random, like pick him up and start running around, while singing at the top of your lungs. Trust me, he'll forget everything he was whining about right then and there. You'll look like a crazy person if you're in public, but, hey, no more whining! Trust me it WORKS!
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Thanks guys! Yeah so far I have found that distraction seems to work best. When he gets like that we just start something new or get something to eat!
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hi there Sister
this is what i try to do often it works especially when I'm full of energy and vibrant etc. I distract. Start singing or whip out a brightly colured cloth object ......anything to distract and get really excited about it. Then give him a huge hug (once he's in wonder of the item you just pulled out and tell him he's amazing.
warriorwoman
dentalanxietywarrior.com
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