After writing my previous post in Coping with your child tantrums, I felt I need to elaborate the “Terrible Twos”.

What is “The Terrible Twos?”

We don’t expect it, we didn’t realize it until your child is turning two years old and beyond. Terrible Two basically means the two years of your child from birth giving you headaches particularly, the dreaded “tantrums”. Hopefully, your child will overcome this stage at age 3 or 4.

They say that the most important thing to bear in mind when you are facing tantrums is simple and crucial. Keep cool.

Never complicate the problem with your own frustration. Toddlers, who happens to be a fast learner deep inside can sense when parents are becoming frustrated.

This can make your child’s frustration even worse, thus exaggerating tantrum on your hands. Simple advice all over the place? Take deep breaths and try to think clearly.

As parents, you are you’re child’s first example. Hitting and spanking doesn’t help, physical ways and tactics, physical punishment only teaches your child that using force is “Okay”. Instead, learn to have self-control for yourself and your child will eventually follow.

Like me, try to learn good parenting from books, online pediatric/parenting guide or from the veterans. However, sometimes I don’t resort to veterans (grandparents, neighbor with tons of kids) as they have different approach, ideas, ways and sometimes no ways at all. Be observant.

In a situation wherein the tantrums stems from a child’s being refused something, you must know that toddlers have fairly rudimentary reasoning skills, you aren’t likely to get far with explanations. Again, ignore the outburst is one way to hadle it if can’t cope with it using diversion of attention. If the tantrum poses no threat to your kid, to  you or others (if in a public place). Just continue your activities, paying no attention to your child’s tantrum but keep in mind also that you have the sight range of your kid. Don’t leave your little one alone, this approach may make him/her feel abandoned on top of all of the uncontrollable emotions. Be sure to make it up when she calm down.

If you think about it, tantrums will not totally gone even school age. I know, I remember doing so 5 years below hahaha! When my parents didn’t buy me those toys I wanted when we go to the mall. So learn different approach to handle them, kids who are a little physical when in tantrum mode (e.g. roll over the floor, hitting is head, bumping his head, doing tornado disaster like throwing things off or hitting others). You should try to find a place where you can settle/calm him/her down. Stay in the room and let them feel that parents should have control, never give in.

Do not reward your child after a tantrum by giving in, this will only give them que/clues and will prove themselves that this little nasty technique/behavior is effective. Thus, will bring him/her to a different scenario called “spoiled child”. If you happen to regain control, verbally praise the child.

After all is well, reward your kid with a hug and reassurance that your child is loved.