Taming Your Child’s Temper Tantrums

Weve all been there, watching a child throw himself to the floor or scream loud and long enough to wake the dead. If you were lucky, the child was someone elses. If not, you probably wondered what you did to deserve such a terrible child, or what your child did to deserve such a terrible parent. In Taming Your Childs Temper Tantrums, Dr. Victoria McEvoy explains that tantrums are a totally normal-though unfortunate-part of early childhood. Most of the time the behavior is mercifully short-lived. McEvoy helps parents see the tantrum from the childs perspective, offers suggestions for dealing with them, and advice on when to seek professional help. Among her tips:

· Many tantrums can be headed off before they begin, by meeting your childs need for food, sleep, exercise, attention and control.
· Dont over-react to early tantrums. If your child learns that youll cave at the first scream, youre setting yourself up for many more unpleasant afternoons.
· Be on the lookout for things you may be doing to encourage your childs tantrums. Remember, she is the one throwing the fit, but youve set the stage shes throwing it on.
· If tantrums continue beyond the third year, get worse, or seem to be unprovoked, its time to redouble your detective work. With the help of family, friends and professionals you can figure out whats going on with your child.

Weve all been there, watching a child throw himself to the floor or scream loud and long enough to wake the dead. If you were lucky, the child was someone elses. If not, you probably wondered what you did to deserve such a terrible child, or what your child did to deserve such a terrible parent. In Taming Your Childs Temper Tantrums, Dr. Victoria McEvoy explains that tantrums are a totally normal-though unfortunate-part of early childhood. Most of the time the behavior is mercifully short-lived. McEvoy helps parents see the tantrum from the childs perspective, offers suggestions for dealing with them, and advice on when to seek professional help. Among her tips:

· Many tantrums can be headed off before they begin, by meeting your childs need for food, sleep, exercise, attention and control.
· Dont over-react to early tantrums. If your child learns that youll cave at the first scream, youre setting yourself up for many more unpleasant afternoons.
· Be on the lookout for things you may be doing to encourage your childs tantrums. Remember, she is the one throwing the fit, but youve set the stage shes throwing it on.
· If tantrums continue beyond the third year, get worse, or seem to be unprovoked, its time to redouble your detective work. With the help of family, friends and professionals you can figure out whats going on with your child.