Tantrums

It's hard to stay calm when they are throwing their toys, but for me it's better to ride the wave and comfort and cheer him up.. let him get it off his chest and then he will be able to carry on with a clean slate. We all get cranky and need to vent sometimes and if you have a partner or friend that tends to get angry with you because YOU'RE angry, for me it makes it even worse. So I do my bestest to try not to focus on behaviour as much as the 'cause' of the behaviour.

Sorry, maybe I was sounding as if only your LO was going through a tough time. I know that moving house is a terrible inconvenience and mom and dad are dead tired and stressed as well. Since you will be moving again, know that this is going to be a rough ride for your whole family and try and expect a tough time, but know that "this too shall pass". I can imagine that spending more time with your LO is possibly not possible for you at this chaotic moment, but maybe just be aware that your LO is going through a tough time as well and that he also picks up on your emotions of being tired and "turned upside down" and his only way of reflecting this is by having a tantrum.

xx

Vash, shame it sounds tough.

I have read that moving house is quite traumatic for children and I think one should be sensitive for their emotions in a case like this. Your child is not naughty, but he is merely expressing his insecurities about the change. I think saying to him "No" in a stern voice would make him feel that he can't express his emotions in a safe environment. At this young age, I would rather recomend you spend some extra time with him to comfort him and reasure him that you won't leave him (this is a child's number one fear, abandonment).

When a tantrum happens, stay close to him, maybe sit next to him on the floor a meter away, and stay calm and reasure him that everything is okay and you are there to give him a hug when he is ready and calmed down. He will most likely start to move closer to you as he starts to calm down, and then hold him for a while untill he feels better.

Tantrums happen because they can't verbalise their feelings. Imagine your mouth is taped closed and you can't express your fears and frustrations about a traumatic incident in your life. We would probably all throw ourselves on the floor and start kicking! Shame, at this age, tantrums are very traumatic for them and as my therapist advised, give them your love and support and comfort.

I hope everyone settles into a new routine quickly. xx

At this age, distraction worked best for me. Take him out of the situation that is frustrating him, or show him something else to get his attention away from the thing he can't get.
They can also understand the tone of your voice, so saying "no" on a stern voice when the tantrum starts and taking him out of the situation, will help him understand this is unacceptable.

We recently moved in with my MIL because the house we were living in has been sold so we were basically forced to move out. Since we moved here my 11 month old has started throwing tantrums when he doesn't get his way. He will scream, cry, throw himself backward or throw whatever he has in his hands. I'm sure it's related to the change but we will be moving again as soon as we find a place. How can I stop this behaviour?