Toddler Tantrums

  Many articles has been written about toddler tantrums or tantrum problems trying to address the much needed tantrum solutions for frazzled mothers. It seems that toddlers would pick a public place such as the busy Supermarket or Shopping center for a spectacular display of tantrums. Some children can fill the air with shrill screams of demands accompanied with frantic threshing of limbs to add to the drama.

  When faced with that scenario, I would quickly bundle by little ones up for a hasty retreat from the shoppers' disapproving gazes. There had to be a better way.

The Solution:

  According to an expert in child behavior, Professor Saunders who authored the world-famous 'Triple P Positive Parenting Program', says that the Supermarket is a boring place for the little ones. The following are some of his tips and I included some of mine in also.

• be well prepared for the trip.
• give your child a shopping list of his own that you have made up with him earlier.
• Catch your child at being good and lavish praise on him. Make that a habit. 'A wise woman builds up her household' - Proverbs.
• Don't wait until he misbehaves to converse with him. Talk to him when he is good also.
• Be specific on your praise eg "Well done, I like the way you picked these red apples for mummy, how about we have ice-cream together after shopping, would you like that?"
• Promise of a treat after the hard work usually works wonders.
• It is important to keep your promise and build trust in your child.

  Professor Saunder's website on Positive Parenting is www.pfsc.uq.edu.au