• Home
  • Meet Stacey
    • Work with Me
  • Decor
  • Family
  • Food
  • Style
  • Travel
  • Shop My Feed
  • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Posh in Progress

Dealing with Toddler Tantrums

By Stacey Freeman 3 Comments

dealing-with-toddler-tantrumsRocco is at an age where he is constantly trying to assert his independence. Jade and I nurture his independence through free-play and letting him explore as much as we can. Despite our best attempts, there is at least one daily battle, usually more, because we won’t let him get his way.

The primary tantrum-inducing culprits are eating, diaper changes, being scolded for throwing toys at his sister, and generally ignoring our rules.

For example, nearly every time we leave the house to walk to the car or the nearby park, he throws a tantrum. He violently throws himself to the ground, crocodile tears streaming down his chubby cheeks, as though the world will soon end, all because we guided him in a direction he didn’t want to go. These near daily fits are so ridiculous and over-dramatic, we had to capture one of his episodes on film (the images for this story are from the one such episode) to use against him someday.

Lately, what I’ve learned is that I could continue this tug of war of wills, or find other ways to approach the conflicts. Here are five things that have helped me when dealing with toddler tantrums.

5 Tips for Dealing with Toddler Tantrums

1. Pick Your Battles

Not every issue is worth a flight. If the issue does not directly affect his health, safety or well-being, then I might just let it go.

For example, Rocco is still a picky eater, despite our best attempts at providing him a variety of foods. So instead of force-feeding him, we give him 2-3 healthy options per meal, at least one of which we know he will eat. That way, we continue to try to introduce new foods, but don’t force those new foods upon him.

To break his picky food will, we even tried serving him the same healthy food for 5 meals in a row, but he wouldn’t budge. He was extremely grumpy after a day of not eating, but still would not lessen his resolve to try our healthy food option. It is important that he receives proper nutrition, but at the same time, forcing him does not work and only leads to food being launched across the room and me being frustrated.

You might think that Rocco won this battle, and that’s OK with me. I will win the healthy food war eventually, but I let him win some of the small daily battles. Fine, eat plain cheerios again. He is growing well and still does get the vitamins and minerals he needs, so I don’t worry so much if he won’t try the asparagus today. I pick my battles.

2. Bribery

I’m perfectly OK with bribing my child, as long as it is to his benefit.

For example, when Rocco doesn’t want to get ready for his nap or bedtime, I tell him we will be doing something he likes to do, like brushing his teeth (seriously, he loves it), reading a book, or taking a bath. The minute he finds out that he gets to do something he likes, then he’s more than willing to give up what he’s currently doing. Maybe this is a mind trick, but I look at it more like a redirection, letting him do something he likes in return for giving up his current activity.

3. Distraction

Distractions help me get through tough situations almost daily. He does not want to get in the car? I let him bring his favorite toy to play with. He’s tired of riding in the stroller? I give him his water bottle or something else to hang on to.

When Rocco doesn’t want to do something, like get his diaper changed, I make a point of distracting him. I make up silly songs, I talk to him about what we will be doing when he is done getting his diaper changed, I point at Bucky Badger on his wall and ask him who he is (yes, I’m brainwashing him–my college’s mascot is proudly displayed in his room). Just by shifting his focus from the current discomfort helps us get through it and move onto the next thing.

4. Ignore

A lot of times, ignoring bad behavior makes the behavior stop sooner.

Rocco often throws his milk cup, and strews his food all over the floor. When we yell at him to stop or scold him for his behavior, it almost never gets him to stop the behavior. Nearly every time I ignore this bad behavior, he stops it on his own. When I watch him do something he knows he’s not supposed to do, I can see in his eyes that he’s waiting for me to react, so I just don’t. He might try it again, but usually he doesn’t.

5. Keep a Schedule

It may seem obvious, but toddlers get upset when their routine changes.  When I know he will skip his usual nap time, I try to fit in a nap earlier or later in the day, or put him to bed early that night. Toddlers crave routine, so I try to keep him as close to a regular schedule as I can.

Just like being tired, hunger will often lead to tantrums, so don’t let it happen. If I know we are going to be gone for awhile, I pack snacks and drinks to ward off the hunger tantrum.

Other resources I found helpful:

Sleeping Should be Easy

CNN Health

What To Expect

I hope my own trial and error dealing with toddler tantrums is helpful in your own battles with your toddler. I definitely still have a lot to learn about dealing with toddlers. So, what did I miss? I’d love to hear what works for you.

Tagged With: babies, parenting, parenting tips, parents, tips, Toddlers, tutorial

About Stacey Freeman

I am a Style Maven, Mommy, Educator, and Traveler.

« Extend the Life of a Haircut and Hair Color
Three Pays: Black and White Floral Print Dress »

Trackbacks

  1. Phoenix Staycation Ideas for Toddlers - Posh in Progress says:
    at

    […] lunch boxes that are perfect for holding a bunch of snacks. I’ve mentioned before just how Rocco is a picky eater, so it’s great that this container holds five different snack options to please even my picky […]

    Reply
  2. 6 Things Parenting Taught Me About Myself - Posh in Progress says:
    at

    […] yesterday that I became a parent.  Now that we are solidly out of the baby phase but still in the toddler tantrum phase, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned about myself as a parent. Here are the 6 […]

    Reply
  3. How to Play A Little Game Called 'Mom Drinking Wine' + Free Download - Posh in Progress says:
    at

    […] child has thrown a tantrum for no apparent […]

    Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply

Hi, I’m Stacey!

Popular Posts

  • How to Make Starbucks Copycat Egg Bites In the Oven
  • This is the Easiest Italian Panettone Bread Recipe Ever
  • 12-baked-donut-recipes-featured-image
    12 Must-Try Baked Donut Recipes
  • Summer Eggplant Tomato Onion Pie
  • How to Make This 100 Year-Old Authentic Italian Lasagna Recipe

Disclosure

This site uses selective affiliate links, which means a commission is earned if you make a purchase via the link. The price you pay will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. We appreciate, and thank you for, your support!

Pinterest

Join Stacey on Instagram

poshinprogress

POSH IN PROGRESS - Since 2013
Fashion • Mom Life • Recipes • Travel • Beauty
Executive Director - UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute
📍 Los Angeles

Dr. Stacey Freeman
Happy Saturday friends! It’s rare cold and rainy Happy Saturday friends! It’s rare cold and rainy day in LA - definitely soup weather - so I’m sharing this vegan-friendly 15 bean soup recipe. Its super easy to make and so yummy! Head over to the blog for the complete recipe. #soupweather #souprecipe #veganrecipes #vegan #veganuary
What is your biggest insecurity? . For all of you What is your biggest insecurity? 
.
For all of you who have commented on my confidence, it will surprise you to know I’ve actually been insecure about my figure most of my life. I grew up in the era when straight, thin bodies were idolized, and I didn’t see my curvy shape in media. 
.
Although it might seem crazy to say, I actually thank @kimkardashian for making hourglass figures like mine cool again. I constantly see women on TikTok paying thousands of dollars to get the curves I’ve tried to hide most of my life. Seeing more diversity in body types in media and advertising has definitely helped me to feel more secure in my shape. 
.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve shifted the way I style my body too. I used to wear a lot of a-line dresses and fuller cuts. Now, I always try to show off my shape. I’m still self-conscious a lot of the time, but I’m working on it and I’m learning to love my shape a little more everyday. 
.
You can shop my look on poshinprogress.com or here http://liketk.it/36wJS and save 15% at @shein_us with code 4PoshIn15 #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKcurves #LTKunder50 #bodypositivity #bodypositive #curvyfashion #curvesarebeautiful
Today, I can confidently tell my daughter that she Today, I can confidently tell my daughter that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to, and I couldn’t be happier. #madamvicepresident #kamalaharris
Back to work on a Tuesday! What did you do with yo Back to work on a Tuesday! What did you do with your long weekend? I’m glad to be back to work and even though I work from home, I still dress up for my zoom calls sometimes! 
.
New on the blog, I’m sharing pearl embellished coats and jackets under $50. This is definitely going to be a work staple because it looks so great with both dresses and work slacks. Plus is chic and affordable! 
.
You can instantly shop my looks by following me on the LIKEtoKNOW.it shopping app http://liketk.it/36lZg and save 15% at @shein_us with code 4poshin15 #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKcurves #LTKunder50 #curvyblogger #curvyblog #shein #sheingals
MLK weekend vibes💙. It has been so warm in LA w MLK weekend vibes💙. It has been so warm in LA we spent all day at the beach yesterday. Today, we are taking in local parks and another gorgeous day. But, my heart is heavy with the state of our world. 
.
Today, as we celebrate an important figure in the fight for Black equality, I’m choosing not to share one of his famous quotes because that’s too easy. Simply sharing his words without considering or sharing my perspective about the current state of our country feels disingenuous at best.
.
I’ve struggled with how to talk about the insurrection because I still find it all so shocking. And the fact that I am shocked is a problem. That our country can be so divided that it’s difficult for me to even fathom how people could participate in this divisiveness.
.
The insurrection happened on my birthday, as I flew to Puerto Vallarta. Landing in Mexico and learning about what was happening felt surreal. I still can’t wrap my head around it, honestly.  What scares me the most is the hate. The idolizing of a white supremacist ideology is terrifying. It terrifies me for my children. For their safety. For their lives.
.
I understand that a lot of hate is spurred by fear, lack of understanding and discomfort. Today, I hope we can all think about how to be more open to thoughts and perspectives that our different than our own. Be more accepting of people who look different, who have different cultures and life experiences. Today, I hope we can all collectively try to confront every human interaction from a place of love and kindness. If we all spent a little more time considering the other person’s life or story, I think we’d have a lot more peace and happiness. #mlk #mlkday #mlkweekend
“I’ve left my heart in so many places...” . “I’ve left my heart in so many places...”
.
Puerto Vallarta, I love you. And I’ll see you soon💙.
.
Shop my look 👉🏼 http://liketk.it/36a3f #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKtravel #LTKcurves #LTKunder50 #puertovallarta #travelblogger #travelblog #hostedby #hosted #villpremiere
Load More... Follow Stacey on Instagram

© 2021 Posh in Progress. All rights are reserved.

Copyright © 2021 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in