7 tips to stop tantrums before they start

Tantrums and toddlers seem to go together. Is there a way of avoiding tantrums before they start? Inspired by one mum's blog, we give you 7 tips to stop tantrums even before they start. Keep reading to find out what these are.

1. When you are out with your kids, interact with them constantly.

Sometimes even a simple trip to the grocery store could be an ideal tantrum-provoking situation. This is not always because kids see so many tempting goodies and want them, but because sitting in one place can be very challenging for a small child.

To avoid grocery store tantrums or any other form of the dreaded tantrum, talk to your child constantly. Discuss what you are putting into your cart. Let them also get involved.

For example, when I take my 5 year old daughter to the supermarket, she helps me weigh the vegetables and paste the labels on. She finds this very interesting and I see it as an opportunity to teach her the names of vegetables and fruits.

2. It is not necessary to discipline a child for being bored.

A bored-tantrum looks very much like a disobedient tantrum. When kids are tired and irritable they play up. It's just their nature. If your child exclaims that they are bored, instead of telling them to behave themselves and not be bored, try an activity that will engage them.

You can try the ideas given on the previous slide as well as these:

Try playing a game like 'I spy'. I play 'I spy colours' with my 5-year-old. With my 1.5 year old - who can be much more challenging in a supermarket scenario - I keep him involved by handing him light and non-breakable groceries he can toss into the cart. When he gets tired of this, I sing 'the wheels on the CART go round and round'. I know it sounds silly and I do get stares, but I can tell you, it works!

3. Bring along entertainment.

If you have to go to the doctor's office or to the salon which involves your kid having to sit still for some time, don't leave the house without some form of entertainment.

If you have to take your baby along with you, take their favourite toy or toys along. Keep in mind that if where you're going is quiet, take toys that make less noise.

If it's a slightly older kid, then take their favourite book or game. I take along an activity book with some pencils if my daughter is accompanying me somewhere. If your kid is occupied they won't have the need to throw a tantrum when they are bored.

4. Bring a snack or drink

I feel my kids get hungry all the time when they are out. Once they start nagging for something to eat, it can quickly escalate into a full-on tantrum!

If you are out and your kid starts complaining, they very well could be hungry. Just ask them why they are complaining. If your kid is too small to communicate and efforts to keep him entertained have not worked out, offer him a snack or a drink.

Having been in this situation many times, believe me it's much easier to bring your own snack and water bottle from home, rather than deal with a screaming kid AND try and find a snack!

5. Nurture their natural curiosity

You are probably in a hurry when you go out or could get busy chatting to a friend. But try not to ignore your little one's million questions. If you seem pre-occupied they will only try harder to get your attention by creating a fuss.

Sheila Wray Gregoire states in her blog that, "Children are naturally curious. Their job, as a child is to learn about the world and how it works. That’s what they start doing from the moment they are born. Our job is to help them. And yet sometimes I don’t think we parents give room for our children’s natural curiosity. If you can channel it into something healthy, then they’re far less likely to start screaming in the wal-mart"

6. Out or not, communicate with them all the time

Avoiding tantrums doesn't only mean interacting with your kids when you are out of home. Get into the habit of constantly talking to your kids and explaining things. If they do something that needs disciplining, then do so, but explain to them WHY you are doing it.

As a result, they will in turn communicate with you when they are feeling bored, tired or hungry without resorting to screaming their little heads off.

All in all, this means less disciplinary action required from you, and as they grow they will open up to you more freely about things that are going on in their lives. You will probably appreciate this open communication the most when they are teenagers!

7. It's never too late to start

If you are faced with a toddler who throws tantrums regularly, and you feel you have tried everything, do not panic. Instead, why not give these ideas a go? Do keep in mind that like we mentioned earlier, kids throw tantrums for various reasons - the most common being boredom, hunger and tiredness.

Every child responds to situations differently, however if you feel they are being deliberately disobedient, you may have to deal with that situation differently.