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Control Those Temper Tantrums

Taming Toddler Outbursts

By Elizabeth Pantley

If public tantrums are a regular occurrence, plan a training session. Go to the grocery store. Buy a few staples and put a nice assortment of your child's favorite goodies in the cart (potato chips, ice cream and cookies). Walk around long enough for your child to have the expected tantrum. Walk the cart over to the register and announce to the cashier that you'll have to leave the groceries and go home because your child is misbehaving. (Smile at the cashier and she'll probably smile back, happy to see at least one customer controlling her child!) Then go home. Your child will most likely comment on the loss of the goodies. Just say, "Oh, well, some other time." Expect great, loud unhappiness, but long-term value!

If all else fails: After an unpleasant experience, plan an outing and leave your child at home with a baby sitter. Explain that the tantrum she had the day before is the reason why she is staying home. Expect crying, screaming and pleading, but be firm. Doing this once has an impact that lasts a long time.

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