Most toddler tantrums happen when they are unable to say what they want. It frustrates them when they try to tell you something and you don't get it so they freak out. And then you get frustrated too and they can feel it so the tantrum worsen. With limited vocabulary, I urge my toddler to use signs or point at the object she wants. I encourage her to always use words, even if she has but a few. When she cries, I would always ask her "Why are you crying?" even when she was still a baby. If gives her a reason to pause when she is crying, trying to think of the answer. I take advantage of that to divert her attention. Often, I voice out the answer for her. I may not always get it right but it helps train her in giving label to the things around her, even to her moods.
So what else do we do to help manage toddler tantrums?
HAPPY
At almost two, Mila's learning had taken an exponential speed. She's saying at least 5 new words everyday (some of them only she understands), has her own songs and dance moves to show to family, and funny tricks too. Of those new things she's recently learning, I feel it's very important that she now knows how to give words to how she feels. She can tell you if she is sad, happy, excited, or hurt. It's a step to keep toddler tantrums at bay.
SURPRISED
Having a toddler know how to say what she feels avoids sudden outbursts. She can tell you instead of showing you. If she is sad or hurt, she can tell us. No need to cry. This lessens frustration which translates to less tantrums. Less stress for Momma too! More so, it also allows us parents to better teach about empathy. "What do you do when mommy is sad?" "Hug!" "Do you want mommy sad?" "No. Happy!"
GOOFY
Now Mila also has faces to match her mood. We call it her Mood-O-Meter. We got it from one of the Hi-5 episodes she watches in the morning. I know that most would frown on parents letting their kids watch TV. I think it's a matter of balance. So long as you watch appropriate shows with your kids and be there to guide them, TV can be a helpful learning tool. Anyway, we were watching together and a few minutes after the segment about the Mood-O-Meter, Mila just said to me "Mom! Happy! Look!" Then she gave me the sweetest smile. I know what she was talking about so we started working on the rest. We now have notches in our Mood-O-Meter: Happy, Sad, Surprised, Goofy.
SAD
The Mood-O-Meter now complements her vocabulary of emotions. The goal is just to give her the tool to express her feelings with words so she does not have to resort to screaming and crying.
#milaOOTD: June 2015
Flower Crown: bought preloved from IG
Tutu Dress: bought from Caprichosa at the Babypalooza
Shoes: Circo
