Are you currently dealing with the terrible twos? Guess what? So is your toddler.
While your toddler may still be happy and easy to be around most of the time, they are going through a period of rapid growth, which includes developing language and social skills. So, if you’re exploring ways for how to stop toddler tantrums, pay attention to when and where they occur.
If your toddler is throwing screaming tantrums, becoming a picky eater, or throwing their stuffed animals and other toys around, you’re probably looking for creative solutions to maintain your calm, and yes, your sanity, too.
First of all, remember that you’re not alone when dealing with toddler tantrums. Many two-year-olds engage in all sorts of supposedly uncharacteristic behavior.
Even though your friends’ toddlers may not appear to be terribly two, it’s likely that they, too, throw tantrums. If you have supportive friends and family, ask them what they recommend. You can also speak with your toddler’s pediatrician for tips on how to stop toddler tantrums.
While it is normal for your previously well-behaved child to act out on occasion, it doesn’t mean that you should ignore or encourage this behavior. If your child cries and screams when you put them down to bed at night, for example, perhaps it’s time to create a series of fun, but relaxing, bedtime rituals.
One approach would be to give them a bath right before bed. If possible, you could dim the bathroom lights so it isn’t as bright in the room. While bathing your toddler, you can tell them stories, sing songs, and teach them the names of objects. This can be both fun and educational.
After bath time, your toddler may go right to sleep without any fuss. One of the reasons for this is because you’ve shared quality time together. In fact, rather than tossing a tantrum, your toddler may actually ask to go “night-night.”
When you tuck them into their crib or “big boy” or “big girl” bed with their favorite blanket or stuffed animal, you can also read one of their books or put on some soft music. Some toddlers may prefer that their parents sit with them while they fall asleep, while others may fall asleep without their parents in the room.
While your toddler may already know a few words and speak in short sentence, it’s possible that they are throwing bedtime tantrums because they don’t know how to communicate what they want or need. Does your toddler’s bedroom have a nightlight? If not, and you close the door when you put them down for bed, it could be that they’re throwing a tantrum because they don’t like being alone in the dark.
When you’re looking for how to stop toddler tantrums, remember that this is just a passing phase. Also create the time to think about where and when your toddler throws these tantrums. This is important so that you can develop insight into that specific situation, and resolving it may be as simple as A, B, C.