Help, what to do for 15 month old temper tantrums??

Susan - posted on 05/27/2012

I just had to reply to this and was stunned by some of the answers! Many years ago, someone explained tantrums to me this way: you have a little person who is just finding out about all these different emotions they are beginning to experience - they know happy, they know tired, but now they are beginning to learn frustration and anger!

Let's say YOU are really angry at someone because they did something that intentionally made you seething mad. Would you like it if you were angry and someone hit you? Would you like it if someone totally ignored you? If someone told you your behavior was not acceptable?And would you like it if someone threw a glass of water in your face? I bet any of those would just make you even angrier. As an adult, you (hopefully) can contain yourself.

So, here you have this little person who has all this going on and they don't know what to do! It's up to you to help them out. So here is what I did with my two boys when they were having a meltdown: Where ever you are, stop what you are doing. Get ahold of yourself, first, because, let's face it, a kid having a tantrum in a store is embarrassing and most likely you are rushed, tired, and have a lot to do, and most likely you would really like to whomp the tar out of them. If your little one is in a stroller or a shopping cart, take them out of it. If they can stand, put them on the floor and wrap your arms around them so they can't escape. Then, speak softly in their ear, no matter how much they are screaming and trying to extricate themselves from your hug. Tell, them it's time to quiet down and that you love them. Tell them what ever you want to in order to soothe them. It might take a few minutes but I guarantee this works, and you will have taught your child something very valuable - it's okay to be angry, and mom or dad will be there to comfort them and help them calm down. Eventually, as your child grows, they learn to do this themselves, rather than lashing out at someone else when they are angry. You will be surprised how this works, and then giving a reward doesn't hurt, either, once they have settled down. You might often find that whatever it was they were out of control about doesn't really matter anymore, it might have been the catalyst.

Amber - posted on 04/11/2012

I know how you feel. i am going though the same thing right now with my son. accept with him its when i et home from work. he's good all day long until i get home then he goes nuts. he starts getting into everything and whining all night until bed. I don't know what to do sometimes cuz it just frustrates me. I play with hime for a little while when i get home and try to distract him but sometimes thats not enough.

Corinne - posted on 04/09/2012

what?? water in the face sounds like humiliation

Katie - posted on 04/06/2012

I understand what you are going through! My son is 16 months and will scream and cry if he does not get his way! In public when he wants something and throws a fit I try to distract him with something like a toy, balloon, favorite snack or even a coke bottle to hold to and I act super excited about it when I hand it to him! or if there is nothing to give to him I get excited and say look at those lights or look at that......!!! sometimes if he wants out of the basket I play a game with him while walking and bend down and do peek a boo or pretend to eat his feet! but if they are screaming and kicking you may get kicked in face!!!! Lol! I get reallly creative with distracting him and probably look reallly dumb in the store! Hang in there and hope this helps. I know all babies are different but this is what works for me! on good days!!!

Kerri - posted on 04/02/2012

To all the mums with toddlers who throw temper tantrums, I heard of a neat way to get them to stop - throw a glass of water in their face. Then if they don't stop, do it again. Then if they don't stop, get a jug and put it on the floor where they can see it. Good luck!!

Cheryl - posted on 03/04/2011

I would just remove her from whatever it is she is doing while throwing tantrum. If u r out leave immediately! Give her time to calm down n maybe try again. Good luck- baby center has been a wonderful resource for me-I hav a 15 month old girl too:)

Peggy - posted on 03/04/2011

Ok first and foremost just to add this... popping your child on the rear or the hand is not considered abuse if you don't leave a mark. personally it's parents that don't discipline their children that deal with jail and other issues later on. Discipline is not ABUSE. now if you are bruising your child or leaving whelp marks yeah I can say that's abuse. But when firm words, time outs and distraction don't work you have to be forceful and let them no it's not okay. I'd rather spank my child than see him hit by a car or burned by a hot oven. Sorry. As far as the temper tantrums go... My son is 15 months old and I just ignore him. It's proven that if you pay them any attention they will continue to do the fits because they are getting what they want attention. When they realize negative behavior such as temper tantrums won't get them the attention they want, they will stop. It worked with my 5 year old when she was younger and it's working on my son. Just be patient it takes time

Peggy - posted on 03/04/2011

Ok first and foremost just to add this... popping your child on the rear or the hand is not considered abuse if you don't leave a mark. personally it's parents that don't discipline their children that deal with jail and other issues later on. Discipline is not ABUSE. now if you are bruising your child or leaving whelp marks yeah I can say that's abuse. But when firm words, time outs and distraction don't work you have to be forceful and let them no it's not okay. I'd rather spank my child than see him hit by a car or burned by a hot oven. Sorry. As far as the temper tantrums go... My son is 15 months old and I just ignore him. It's proven that if you pay them any attention they will continue to do the fits because they are getting what they want attention. When they realize negative behavior such as temper tantrums won't get them the attention they want, they will stop. It worked with my 5 year old when she was younger and it's working on my son. Just be patient it takes time

Teena - posted on 03/02/2011

I begin by avoiding the tantrum, I can't give my son a treat or a snack if he is being bad so I take his snack cup with us and as soon as I sit him in his stroller I hand him his "bits" and his sippy cup. This way I am not rewarding bad behavior but avoiding a fight. Now he is content with just his cup. When he is starting to get full he normally is content for awhile, then when he starts to get restless I start making an exit. I do the something when he is in a cart, but I also play peek-a-boo and sing the wheels on the bus, and twinkle twinkle little star...fun songs with hand movements....I might look crazy but my son is happy going through the store...and I keep my sanity. I wish you the best of luck!

Katrina - posted on 03/01/2011

My 15 month old has temper tantrums but I tend to try to ignore them and soothe her or distract when it is over. Of course in public you just have to remember most parents have been through the same thing with their children, so don't get embarrassed!!!



Also on some of the threads it seems the parents are the ones throwing the tantrums!! I think that if you punish your child by hitting you are only teaching them to hit back and that can be ALOT worse for everyone!!

Holly - posted on 02/28/2011

I also wanted to mention after reading through some of the other posts... we don't deal with the wanting to walk/run in stores.. I wear a moby wrap (5-7 yards of non stretchy fabric at a fabric store, cut in half hot dog wise (not hamburger wise) and wrap... I looked on youtube to figure out how to wrap it, I looked online to figure out how to make it... cost $35.. I found another momma on craigslist and we went to the store together. We each put in $35 and we each got one cotton and one fleece moby :) (online ONE moby costs about $35...)... We compromised on fabric, cut it in store and we each left with two mobys :) So now I wear my little guy. There simply *isn't* any arguments or tantrums over running/holding hands. I eliminated the problem altogether :) He sits/lays in hismoby through church as well :) Well, most of it anyway... which stops some of the running/yelling/playing/fighting during service :) If you *know* something is a fight, figure out how to eliminate the fight.. going through the mall was impossible. He stood up in his stroller, even while strapped in.. he tried to run off if down.. the backpack with the strap was only mildly effective for him.. but the moby is awesome :) We also avoid all toy aisles in all stores.. Why GIVE them a reason to scream? There are sporadic toy end caps and it is much easier to say no to a few toys then to racks and racks of them.. I also allow the boys one toy car each (if they find them!! never offered!!).. they get to choose it and they have to behave all the way through the store or it goes back. They get a few reminders about behavior.. and I have put cars back. They remember that!! Since the cars are only a dollar apiece (sometimes cheaper) it isn't an expensive item and it is not a break the bank compromise! :) Bribery? Perhaps.. effective HECK YES :) LOL :) Not to mention as adults we get compensated for good behavior so why not ?:) (Raises, kuddos, gifts, etc..)..

Holly - posted on 02/28/2011

#1 I pick my battles :) We don't fight over MANY things.. no you cannot throw things at your brother.. oh, you want to run around naked inside? SURE!! :) You want a strawberry in the middle of the day (not a mealtime)? Sure.. you want candy all day? No.. When my 15 month old starts on a tantrum I pull him into my lap and talk to him until he calms down.. I explain in a low voice that I understand that he is angry/mad/frustrated/disappointed/etc. I explain WHY my answer is what my answer is in words that he can reasonably understand. "No you may not have the toy, brother is playing with it right now. I understand it is very hard to wait and that you want to play with the toy. Let's play with this other toy right now and then later you can play with that toy". Redirection.. empathy, love. Some parents leave the child to yell and scream until the child calms down.. if they could deal with their emotions on their own they wouldn't be screaming :) If he is screaming that he wants held and can't be held right now (like when I was moving ALONE while hubs worked) I would sit on his level and talk to him calmly "I love you, calm down. You are OK!" until he calmed down. Then I held him on my lap for a moment, loved and cuddled then put him down again. I did not pick him up while he was screaming bloody murder to be picked up while I am sitting here trying to move lol. It has worked quite well. Especially the picking my battles :) Life is so much calmer now that I have let him make some decisions :) With my now three year old we used to put him to bed at 8-9pm. Then we would spend the next 2-4 hours yelling, up and down putting him back in his bed, threatening, spanking, etc.. to keep him in his bed. One night I said screw it.. he always does this, we always fight, I am TIRED (worked 70 hours a week at that time.. sometimes more), when he finally did fall asleep it was generally in his bed.. so I left him. He played for a few hours then crawled in his bed and went to sleep. Do you KNOW how much easier it was to give him hugs and kisses and put him in his bed/room and left. :) He would play till HE was ready for bed. :) He was up at 7am regardless of how much we fought with him so WE were the ones suffering! This one decision made ME calmer and a better mom, made him happier (less fighting with mom) and in general made life all around easier for all :) PICK YOUR BATTLES :)

Wendy - posted on 02/28/2011

i actually just got this in my email from babycenter. Funny right??

http://www.babycenter.com/0_tantrums_115...

Jody - posted on 02/28/2011

Hi Rachele,
My 15mth old is doing the exact same thing when she doesn't get what she wants and it normally involves if she can't get a biscuit - when she's already had one! I agree with some of the posts that distraction works for me, I ask her if she wants a prune or apricot instead or to do a task like let's get dressed in the morning. I don't do time out or anything like that as I feel she's too young to fully understand the meaning of it. If she is overtired distraction doesn't work and I just have to ride with it and the best way is ignore her; I walk away from her and may say 'ta-ta' or 'bye bye' and that's normally enough to change her thought process or she may well just follow me and do her tantrum where I can see her - quite calculating really he he he :)
In terms of your shopping trips, I never ever give my girl the opportunity to walk beside me or be unrestricted as I just know she'll grab onto the opportunity like you wouldn't believe so we don't go there! Unfortunately it seems your little one has got into a little habit that she likes and I would say when your out and she is in the pram take some little treats with you. Something you only give her when she's good or something she really likes. When she is in the pram and not throwing a tanty whilst shopping, tell her she is a good girl and does she want a biscuit (or like)? And go from there. The moment she seriously plays up tell her your going home and that she is a naughty girl. I think she will learn pretty quickly as she will prefer to be out and get treats for good behaviour. Some may not agree with bribery but it seems to me like your little one isn't going to give up the habit that easily. I hope these suggestions help and I feel your frustration about going out. All the best
P.S. disappointing about some posts on this thread :(

Wendy - posted on 02/27/2011

My 15 month old throws the worst fits of any child I have ever seen...today at a restaurant I was trying to wipe her face (which she hates) and she threw herself forward and whacked her head on the table and then started screaming, obviously. When she gets angry that is what she does--throws herself around and usually ends up hurting herself. when we are at home and she is within reach I will put my hand behind her head as she is slamming herself to the floor so that she doesn't hurt herself too badly...and then I just let her throw her fit. Since I'm ignoring her it usually doesn't last too long but it happens soooo often. In public, I am struggling as well. I have resorted to just leaving immediately when she starts the fits...all of my friends with older children told me just to ignore her and it really will pass. =( I know it's not an immediate resolution to 15 month old temper tantrums but it's just some support because it sounds like our babies are doing the EXACT same thing.

Heidi - posted on 02/25/2011

Okay I will start off buy saying hitting, spanking or paddling a 15 month old is NOT OK.
I also have a 15 months old son. He has started to through tantrums too. I just try to pretend I don't see them. I don't show him that I can see him. Just today he got upset cause he couldn't get his trains to go the way he wanted so he through them down, then his binky down on the floor then himself. After he looked at me to see if I would do anything and I did. He stopped and started to play again. I think they have tantrums because they can't say what is going on in their mind or show how they are feeling. I have two older children who are 10 & 8. They grew old of it at that age when they could really talk and tell me how they were feeling. So hang in there and it should get better. I'm hoping for the same thing too. :)

Rachele - posted on 02/25/2011

thanks for the advice everyone! I'm really trying to just be as patient as I can and look for the light at the end of the tunnel! lol Eventually with good guidance, stern no's, time outs, and hand smacks hopefully this phase will end! Just this week she has started to try and talk a lot more than before and I think it is helping with her frustration. So with practice hopefully soon she'll be able to verbalize what she wants a lot easier and the screaming will end. I am going to really try to distract her too when we go shopping or anywhere else next time Becky. Thanks so much again everyone!

Candace - posted on 02/25/2011

My daughter is 15 months old, and she LOVES to throw temper tantrums... mainly when I'm in the kitchen cooking us dinner... When she first starts to throw her fit, I go down to her level, I gently hold her arms so that she looks me in the face, and I tell her "I know you want to come up, but mommy is busy right now. Stop, or you're going in time out" When I let her go, if she starts to fuss again, I pick her up without saying anything and I put her in her crib. A safe place, where she can scream all she wants, but she won't hurt herself. I generally let her cry for about 5 mins, when she stops herself. If she doesn't stop by 5 mins, I go in, give her a hug, let her know why she was in time out, and then I let her go play. They do understand what you're saying. You've really got to be on it tho for it to work. You can't threaten time out and not follow trough, or else it won't do anything.



Also, my Dr suggested that maybe she's having a fit because she wants something but isn't able to verbalize it to you. So if you get to their level, make eye contact and say something like "I know you want to walk, but you have to sit in the stroller right now. You can walk when we get home" or something like that, that they'll calm down because they know you understand. It works off and on for 15 month old temper tantrums...



Good luck!

Melanie - posted on 02/25/2011

the best i can offer for prevention is to suggest that maybe you can distract her. i know that doesn always work though. teaching her not to pitch a fit isnt easy but you seem to be doing the right thing. dont let her do it and if she persists leave. it may take her a few times but eventually shell get it.

Becky - posted on 02/23/2011

What works for us when we're in public is distraction while he is throwing a tantrum, looking in windows, pointing out colors, working on saying words/animal noises or even singing. BUT I don't give him what he wants, ie, if he's in the stroller and wants to walk, he stays in the stroller while I distract him, my attempt at ignoring his tantrum in pubic.

When we're at home I completely ignore his tantrum, attempting to show him that tantrums don't get him what he wants. After the initial tantrum is over I will distract him with toys and books. Seems to work well. Remember that they are just trying to test boundaries and you must consistently show that this behavior does not accomplish what they want. Good luck!

Tabatha - posted on 02/21/2011

15 months***

Tabatha - posted on 02/21/2011

mdaughter 5 months old as well she was throwing fits as well, i just let her throw them, eventually, she realized she wasnt hurting anyone but herself, so now she rarely throws a fit, when she does its so fake ya just gotta laugh.

Sarah - posted on 02/20/2011

Oh, and to Rachele- removing her from the store as soon as she starts the tantrum is a pain in the butt, but after a few times she'll get the hint! Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 02/20/2011

Yes, this thread totally got out of line! Melissa just gave her personal advie,- she is not abusing her child and you are giving your personal advice! Its ok to disagree but it went too far!

Kaleigh - posted on 02/20/2011

My apologies to the OP I hope your thread continues without more childishness and you find the advice you need. Final note to Melissa feel free to continue to attack me personally you will soon see that behaviour is not tolerated on here and you will get banned for that kind of jeuvenile behaviour, bye bye now.

Kaleigh - posted on 02/20/2011

Good job posting a bunch of opinion based info on spanking...but wait that isn't what you do is it? No you paddle so I think you have an idea of where I think you should put your research on spanking if you aren't going to do anything productive with it like put it to good use. As for your sob story...well I think you can figure out pretty easily where I personally feel you should stick that, I feel no pity for you nor do I feel obligated to express why or put you in your place. Keep in mind while you throw your unearned sense of entitlement around that there are PLENTY of women on here dealing with worse issues than you who don't feel the need to advertise it nor demand pity. You've got a lot to learn m'dear best of luck in your process but I'm not about to play this game with you girly so for the last time have a good one.

Kaleigh - posted on 02/20/2011

Belittled? Okay hun first off it is illegal here thats fine if its different where you are but when you know something to be child abuse its pretty hard not to comment on, that is why that comment was made I was just trying to make sure you knew the laws in your area. As for the life is hard enough comment my goodness like really wow. You have a good one and try not to fly off the handle next time someone God forbid disagrees with you.

Kaleigh - posted on 02/20/2011

Spanking is legal here as well m'dear paddling is not, spanking is with your open hand using reasonable force on their bottom, beating is using a weapon of any kind and/or excessive force. As for name calling I don't see where you were called a name, verbally attacked or anything of the sort, I see only concerned moms trying to offer other types of guidance to the OP. We aren't trying to run you off COM this is how conversation works on here, you read others' replies to the OP and you add your own information if applicable. Of course as we're all moms on here it is very difficult to hear of someone physically harming their child without speaking up but that doesn't make it an attack. I have plenty of unpopular views and have had other moms disagree with me and it doesn't make me feel bad about my parenting style if it is constructive criticism I accept it and take that as an opportunity to learn, if it doesn't apply I disregard it. If what has been posted thusfar leads you to feel bad about your form of discipline than perhaps it is time to re-examine your style. I find it odd that you think a few moms on COM disagreeing with you (again I see no name calling) is abusive and close minded yet you think hitting your child with a paddle makes good sense and everyone should give you a thumbs up for it, just something to think about. Just to be clear I personally don't agree with smacking/tapping little hands either but I don't see that in the same light as using a spoon or any other object to cause physical pain to a child. I doubt that Kristine would view my post as an attack on her style of parenting so I find it difficult to be compassionate to your over-sensitivity. I gotta be honest here I've seen a lot worse reactions to a lot less severe forms of discipline here on COM, even time out is considered as abusive to some moms they feel that the child being isolated to a wall or room etc. is emotional abuse. I don't get my panties in a bunch over it because I know its whats best for my child and myself. I'm just letting you know this so that you are prepared for the reaction if you post that you use paddling as a form of punishment anywhere else here on COM not all moms are as open-minded as us.

Kristine - posted on 02/20/2011

I'm having the same issues withmy daughter. I don't paddle, but I have been known to tap her hand occasionally ( I would rather tap her hand then watch her get her fingers pinched or burnt) when a stern voice doesn't work and shes putting herself in danger of being hurt. Sophie likes to climb on everything and all I can do at this point I feel is keep clapping my hands as I walk towards her and take her down, telling her no and getting out some toys for us to play with. This usually results in her trying to get back on my coffe table where we go thruthe whole process about 10-20 times till she gets interested in something else... usually the dog :). My suggestion to you and to myself (tho it sucks and its hard) is to keep being consistant with the rules, keep the stern "no" in your vocabulary and stop counting how many times you pull them down or sit them up. As for the sceaming, I'd ignore it. I'd rather be seen as someone that ignores their tantrums then someone that gives in to your inner demon and spanks a small kid. Maybe a trip to the bathroom would help, just a change of scene to get them away from whatever caused the initial melt down. Good luck and you'll figure it out, your a Mommy after all :)

Kaleigh - posted on 02/19/2011

Well Brittany had a good suggestion for my son time outs didn't work very well though (he has confinement issues and such) so if give it a try but if that doesn't quite fit I personally do a different method of time out we do the nose to the wall thing and it works best for my son. He gets his time out and can't hurt himself (he headbangs but he can't do that with his nose on the wall) and then we discuss what he did wrong afterwards. These are both good non-abusive forms of discipline. As for paddling Melissa I have to agree with Vicki mostly because where I am that is classified as abuse and not only would you lose your child to protective services but also be dealing with criminal charges for assaulting a child with a weapon. Maybe the rules are different where you are I'm just explaining one of the reasons we find the idea of 'paddling' so offensive.

Brittany - posted on 02/19/2011

I do time outs. If she gets up I put her right back. I keep her there for about a minute to a minute and a half. I then get down to her level and tell her what she did wrong and why it was wrong. She then gets hugs and can go play.

I found that now that she can walk, the last thing she wants to do is hold my hand. I just don't give her an option... ever. There have been times when my daughter has thrown fits in public. I then get down to her level and in a very stern voice tell her that this isn't appropriate behavior. She has learned my serious voice and usually shapes up, if she is really tired though all bets are off (the best fix then is nap or bedtime).

There have been days where she is throwing such a fit she goes into her crib until she calms down. I don't like to use it, but often times at that point it is the best option. I have a monitor in her room so if I'm in my room I can still hear her.

Vicki - posted on 02/19/2011

you are 100% correct that I have not posted some suggestions and the only 'excuse' I have is that I am so tired. to the OP I apologize as that is not a fair thing to you and do want to give some suggestions on how I try and handle the kind of stuff you are talking about (I've got same age twins and totally get where you are coming from). all I can say now (sorry OP re: time limit) is that your daughters actions are age appropriate and there are techniques you can use and I will post some as soon as I can.

melissa, yes I am short on time but could not let it go how I feel about how you are disciplining your child. I am enraged and incensed and do find i to be abuse. your child will fear the hand that holds the paddle. please feel free to report me if you like.

Vicki - posted on 02/19/2011

wow. pretty it up all you like with the words hands are for love. still amounts to child abuse. on top of it your child is learning to fear you, not an inanimate object, regardless of what you may think. as well as learn that violence is a way to solve issues. good luck.

you really should be ashamed of yourelf. pointing to it on a wall. archaic.

Vicki - posted on 02/19/2011

does paddle mean a paddle in teh literal sense? as in hit him with a paddle? or does it mean spank with your hand?

Cheryl - posted on 03/04/2011

I would just remove her from whatever it is she is doing while throwing tantrum. If u r out leave immediately! Give her time to calm down n maybe try again. Good luck- baby center has been a wonderful resource for me-I hav a 15 month old girl too:)

Amy - posted on 03/02/2011

I think that this whole stream got off task....... she was asking for advice on how to fix her 15 month old's temper tantrums... so we all should give positive feedback on what to do to fix the issue of tantrums that have worked for all of us form our own children... we are all hear to give guidance, and positive reinforcement to both the mothers asking for help and the children we are raising. I understand how emotional this subject of hitting, spanking, or paddling is... but remember to try to not get personal, and get ugly or mean.. we all signed up for this site with one goal in mind to hear from others so that we can get feedback on the things that our children do... and to give feedback on the lessons that we have learned with our own children to others who need help... When someone gets their feeling hurt or feel picked on or ganged up on, your first instinct is to get defensive and defend yourself.... when we do this then we miss the point of what people are saying.. (lets face it we all do this just read the posts that go back and forth.. it is happening on both side..) we chose not to hear, listen or acknowledge what is being said... your true message will fall on deaf ears, and a mind that is not open, and a heart that is hurt..

just how i feel- thanks for listening to my message and reading my post.

Katrina - posted on 03/01/2011

My 15 month old has temper tantrums but I tend to try to ignore them and soothe her or distract when it is over. Of course in public you just have to remember most parents have been through the same thing with their children, so don't get embarrassed!!!



Also on some of the threads it seems the parents are the ones throwing the tantrums!! I think that if you punish your child by hitting you are only teaching them to hit back and that can be ALOT worse for everyone!!

Wendy - posted on 02/27/2011

My 15 month old throws the worst fits of any child I have ever seen...today at a restaurant I was trying to wipe her face (which she hates) and she threw herself forward and whacked her head on the table and then started screaming, obviously. When she gets angry that is what she does--throws herself around and usually ends up hurting herself. when we are at home and she is within reach I will put my hand behind her head as she is slamming herself to the floor so that she doesn't hurt herself too badly...and then I just let her throw her fit. Since I'm ignoring her it usually doesn't last too long but it happens soooo often. In public, I am struggling as well. I have resorted to just leaving immediately when she starts the fits...all of my friends with older children told me just to ignore her and it really will pass. =( I know it's not an immediate resolution to 15 month old temper tantrums but it's just some support because it sounds like our babies are doing the EXACT same thing.

Candace - posted on 02/25/2011

My daughter is 15 months old, and she LOVES to throw temper tantrums... mainly when I'm in the kitchen cooking us dinner... When she first starts to throw her fit, I go down to her level, I gently hold her arms so that she looks me in the face, and I tell her "I know you want to come up, but mommy is busy right now. Stop, or you're going in time out" When I let her go, if she starts to fuss again, I pick her up without saying anything and I put her in her crib. A safe place, where she can scream all she wants, but she won't hurt herself. I generally let her cry for about 5 mins, when she stops herself. If she doesn't stop by 5 mins, I go in, give her a hug, let her know why she was in time out, and then I let her go play. They do understand what you're saying. You've really got to be on it tho for it to work. You can't threaten time out and not follow trough, or else it won't do anything.



Also, my Dr suggested that maybe she's having a fit because she wants something but isn't able to verbalize it to you. So if you get to their level, make eye contact and say something like "I know you want to walk, but you have to sit in the stroller right now. You can walk when we get home" or something like that, that they'll calm down because they know you understand. It works off and on for 15 month old temper tantrums...



Good luck!