How do you get a two year old to stop throwing tantrums?

Meghann - posted on 01/28/2010

My girl is doing this. I walk away and out of the room after making sure there's nothing for her to hurt herself or the dog with. It doesn't stop it, but the tantrums have decreased as her vocabulary improves. I think it has something to do with frustration and testing limits (not that it's any consolation, but most of them really do hit the Terrible Twos)

Krissy - posted on 01/28/2010

I was going to say you get them to stop throwing tantrums by waiting until they are 21. :) We all deal with it and it sucks. Great to hear what others are doing! :)

Caitlin - posted on 01/28/2010

Ignore it. They are looking for attention and you have to teach them that crying, screaming, and hitting is not the way to act when you need something.

Kathleen - posted on 01/27/2010

When he starts, just put him aside for 2 minutes and ignore him totally (I use a timer and in the end I count to 10). Then try again, bc you believe he can do it. The tantrum starts again... again 2 minutes time out while making a robot out of yourself (so no angry voices or...) and total ignoring. It's not easy I know, but after a few days or even a few times they get it. Try to keep your calm, it's all about patience and doing the same thing over and over again.

Sudha - posted on 01/27/2010

Hi ..My son is 2y4m and throws a lot of tantrums now and then....wants attention...i don't give in...let him cool off for a while,leave the scene...usually it helps...and tantrums don't last longer this way..its tough to stay put..but I guess thats what being the adult! is all about....hope this helps..

Amanda - posted on 01/25/2010

Hi my name is Amanda I have a two year old son also. Whe he starts throwing a fit I will walk away. I don't speak to him or look at him until it is over. I started this the first time he threw a fit and it works. His fits only last a short time and he is done. When he starts crying for no reason when we are at home I make him go to his room till he is through. I learned from my sister and her daughter the more you feed into their fit or give in they know they have you and they will never stop. When we are in public and he does starts I will put him in a time out and tell him that when he is done throughing his fit we will talk and then I ignore him. Every child is different but ignoring them all together seems to work for a lot of people. Hang in there! I know they can try our patients but the tantrums wont last forever! =)

Kathryn - posted on 01/23/2010

If it happens at home then as soon as the tantrum begins walk out of the room quickly and completely ignore them. Once they are calm explain to them that whenever you have a tantrum Mommy is not going to listen AT ALL. Wait for the tantrum to end before you acknowledge the child. This works with my son. If for some ungodly reason a tantrum happen in the store- I go into an empty aisle and stand there for a moment showing no emotion. When it seems like you don't care at all they stop because they give up the act when there is no audience. Good luck Momma don't worry the terrible two's won't last forever. Take care!

Kimberly - posted on 01/23/2010

Im a single mother of a 2 year old as well. And she definitly hit the terrible 2s as soon as her birthday was over. She does the same thing. If she doesnt get what she wants she will kick and scream and throw her self on the floor. Sometimes you just have to let them finish their fit alone. If she throws herself on the floor ill wait till shes done then put her in timeout. But like melissa said sometimes there isnt really a way to stop them. Good luck.

Melissa - posted on 01/22/2010

I really dont think theres anyway of stopping them. Especially with a 2 year old. The worst thing to do is give in. If they know your gonna give iin and your paying attention then thier gonna keep doing it till they get what they want. I just walk away and ignore my daughter when she gets like that and eventually she just gives up and starts playing with something else or watching tv,but if she see,s im paying attention she just keeps right on.Since Ive made the decision to ignore her when she gets like that her tantrums dont last very long at all.It took some time but now usually when shes sees me walk away she just quits. I guess she figures theres no use. I hope this helps, I know it might be a little harder with a boy sometimes, especially if hes big but just dont play into it.