How to Manage Your Child’s Temper

 

 

Every parent knows that feeling — your child is on the floor, crying, screaming, and nothing seems to work. You’re exhausted, frustrated, and maybe even embarrassed. But here’s the truth: tantrums are a normal part of development.

 

They often happen when a child has strong wishes or needs but hasn’t yet learned how to express them in words. What looks like “bad behavior” is usually a young brain struggling to handle big emotions.

 

Your parenting style — the tone you use, the limits you set, and the calm you bring — plays a huge role in how your child learns to manage those feelings. Here are gentle, practical ways to help your child (and yourself) through tantrums:

 

💡 Control the environment.
Avoid situations that you know might be too much — crowded places, skipped naps, or long errands. A little prevention can go a long way.

 

🚪 Control the outcome.
If things are heading toward a meltdown, it’s okay to step away. Sometimes leaving the situation helps both of you reset before things spiral.

 

🧘 Set limits and stand your ground.
Stay calm and firm. Don’t argue about things your child already understands. Acknowledge their feelings while keeping boundaries clear:

“I know you’re upset because we’re leaving, but it’s time to go.”

 

⏳ Teach patience.
After the storm has passed, use the calm moment to talk. Help them think about how to wait, plan, or come up with other ways to handle disappointment next time.

 

💞 Minimize frustration.
Show them what to do when they’re upset — deep breaths, squeezing a stuffed toy, playing, or talking to you. These are tools they can use for life.

 

🌈 Validate their efforts.
When they calm down or handle disappointment better than before, celebrate it!
“I noticed how you took a breath instead of yelling — that was great.”
Small acknowledgments build emotional strength and self-regulation over time.

 

Remember — tantrums are not about control; they’re about communication. When you respond with patience and connection, your child learns that even in big emotions, love and safety remain constant. 

 

 

Coach Benjamin Mizrahi. Educator. Learning Specialist. Family Coach. Father. Husband.

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