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Oh, Those Outbursts!
Taming Tantrums Without Losing Your Sanity By Gina Roberts-Grey, LCSW
"Beware of the terrible 2-and-a-halves," says Kimberly Scherrer. "Turning 2 wasn't nearly as bad as going on 3." As the mother of three boys under 4 years old, Scherrer has encountered more tantrums than she cares to recount.
Sometime between their 2nd and 3rd birthdays children appear to undergo a dramatic emotional transformation. While they have greater control over their bodies and continue to develop their speech, they also acquire a stubborn sense of independence. Your child is now acutely aware of the power of his voice and actions. At unpredictable moments, his actions seem as though he is on a quest to control his surroundings.
The child that once seemed to be easygoing now cries because he can't have another ice cream sandwich or when it's time to leave the park. Toddlers navigating their way through the same stages as Scherrer's young boys can be obstinate, independent and extremely expressive. At this stage, they are learning how to convey their opinions and feelings and often find they are not in control of their emotions.
You're not alone if this surprising change in behavior and personality leaves you questioning what happened to your baby. Many parents find themselves wondering how to approach this stage in their child's life. "When my oldest had his first tantrum, it caught me off guard because there was no way to prepare for when and how it would be demonstrated," says Scherrer. Although it can be trying, this phase in your child's life is one of important development.
There are a few easily implemented steps to effectively cope with the emotional outbursts that contribute to this often-turbulent phase of your child's life. Understanding why your little one has tantrums, and knowing that despite the best parenting practices he will still demonstrate his feelings, will also help guide you through this early stage of development.
