How can I deal with screaming fit throwing?

Jennifer - posted on 04/07/2010

My daughter has a melt down every now and again. Perfectly normal for a toddler. If we are home I put her in her room in a chair and tell her that when she wants to act like a big girl and behave I will talk to her. Usually she screams and cries for about after I shut her door. Then within a couple min. she comes out wanting a hug and saying she is sorry for being a bad girl. If we are out, I agree that the child needs to be taken out of the situation. I also believe in spankings. Not beatings but a spanking if they are just out of control and time out doesn't work. Usually the threat is enough. Good luck. It's all trial and error. It's hard because usually every other weekend she goes to "daddy's house" and I have to "reprogram" every time I get her back. Dad lets her do whatever she wants and lets her as he puts it walk all over him. It's hard but she knows it won't fly with Mommy.

Debra - posted on 04/06/2010

I have a son who would have such an outburst (rocking the stroller) I swore the child and I were not related!!

First...is your child hungry? Sick? Or tired?

Second...If you can hold them during the tantrum -Do it! No need to restrain...just might offer a bit of comfort.

If your child won't allow this. Just sit with them (so they don't hurt themselves or others) until they are calm. If it gets on your nerves? Plug in your Ipod and tune out - gives you back some sanity.

When the tantrum is done...it's done.

Save the whole talk about "not getting your way" or "name-that-feeling" for another time. There is enough time to have this conversation/lessons on life...at bedtime, during dinner or through play.

Top it off with a hug n' kiss because an emotional wrought child just needs to know that they are loved, no matter what.

Becky - posted on 04/03/2010

Hi Jamie. My son is 2 and has the worst tantrums ever. I have found using one of my living room chairs as a naughty/ chill out chair works because they are padded lol. When he has a tantrum/ rage I put him in the chair calmly and tell him firmly to calm down and breathe. Then I walk away or sit and ignore him. During this time I don't give him any eye contact or speak to him. After a mostly short space of time he comes to me for a hug and then he's the normal loving angel again. I'm not saying it always works but 98% of the time it does.

Siobhan - posted on 04/02/2010

Hi Jamie my name is Siobhan. What i tend to do with my little one is walk away cos the more attention you give the more they will just act up

Nikki - posted on 03/31/2010

My youngest son who is 3 is a fit thrower. He has tantrums bad and simply will not listen whe I try to "reason" with him, he blocks me out as he is in such a rage. I have had a opinion from a "expert" and that was to try to sooth him and tell him I know he is angry but we will "work through it together" until he calms down BUT my father is old school and raised my siblings and I on spankings with a switch or belt (never hurt us) but got his point across. I decided to go with my father's advice and brother stanley's advice and that is when he acts up he gets a spanking . It has worked for us and he knows now if he starts up then a whipping will follow it so he refrains from throwing the tantrums now . God says "spare the rod and spoil the child" and I agree , but that is just me ") Hope it gets better for you whatever avenue you choose to take :) God Bless

Laura - posted on 03/31/2010

Also remember, if the child cries or holds his/her breath even up to the point of passing out... don't panic. If that happens, the body will immediately start breathing normally again. The key is to remain calm... your getting upset or overly emotional will only fuel the fire. Once they do calm, then again go to their eye level and ask them to tell you in their words what upset them, etc. This too shall pass, but you have to be firm in letting them know that this behavior will not get them the attention they are looking for.

Katie - posted on 03/30/2010

They're really isn't anything that you can do. You just have to let them calm themselfs down. What works for me when my son acts like that is come down to his level n tell them when you calm down, mommy will talk to you. After he calms down, I ask him if he's ok n if he wants a drink then talk about what ever caused about the meltdown. If I am out in public, I take him out of the situation to like my car til he calms down. Wish ya luck and hang in there, it does get better.

Chrissy - posted on 03/30/2010

my little boy did that for about a year but he held his breath also i asked my doctor for advice thankfully since nursery its calmed down alot gud luck hun