![]() Or maybe you’ve asked them to do something but they are already tired/hungry/anxious/scared and don’t have any energy left for what you’ve asked. Perhaps you’ve asked them to do something they don’t know how to do. Maybe they’re feeling overwhelmed by sensory input and can’t calm down. ![]() Maybe they are experiencing big feelings and they don’t know how to manage them. This is an unintentional, instinctive response. Your child goes into fight or flight mode in order to protect themselves. The thinking brain shuts down, and the stress response is triggered. When meltdowns happen, your child’s brain has detected a threat, and has entered protection mode. A sign that their nervous system is under too much stress and they do not have the resources to manage that stress. They happen because your child’s brain is still under construction. They do not happen because your child is bratty, misbehaved, or trying to manipulate you. Meltdowns and tantrums are a normal and expected part of early childhood. The first step to understanding how to deal with tantrums though is understanding why they happen. They are actually great opportunities for connection and skill-building – a chance to teach your child valuable lessons about emotions and how to manage them. There is no doubt about it – meltdowns are tough! In fact, your child’s seemingly constant tantrums may even trigger your own adult-sized tantrum. While you’re trying to cook dinner, in the middle of grocery shopping, when you’re trying to get out the door on time when it’s time to leave the park and while grandma is visiting are some of my personal favourites. ![]() And of course, they occur at the worst possible times. They often seem to come from nowhere, go from 0-100 in a nanosecond, and can feel like they’re never going to end. Meltdowns and tantrums are generally considered the bane of a parent’s existence.
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