Does your little one behave in a way that is unruly? (Temper Tantrum) Let's talk about this.

Sometimes your little one might suddenly get angry in a store or at home, and cry like crazy. They might act out of control without listening to anything you say. As a mother, you might feel helpless, embarrassed, and even angry at times like these. In fact, this is what we call a `Temper Tantrum` in medical terms. As painful as it may be to see this, it is a normal part of the development of young children.

What exactly is a 'Temper Tantrum'?

Simply put, a `Temper Tantrum` is a way for your child to vent their frustration, anger, or feelings when they can't get something they want. Young children, especially those under the age of 4, can't really describe their feelings in words like we can. So this is how they express their anger and helplessness.

Imagine, even though they want to do something on their own, they don't have the necessary skills yet. This causes them a lot of frustration. This is a normal part of their development. As the child grows older and learns to express their feelings in words, this situation will decrease to a great extent. So the first thing you need to understand is that this is not something your child is doing because he is bad , it is part of his development.

How do you distinguish between 'normal' and 'abnormal' situations?

Many parents wonder if this behavior is normal for their child, or if they should talk to a doctor about it. Typically, a child may behave this way when they are tired, hungry, or during parts of their daily routine, such as bedtime or eating.

However, there are some warning signs that we should be aware of.

What could be causing this?

There can be both general and medical reasons for a `Temper Tantrum`.

Common Triggers

• Hungry, tired , or sick.
• Frustration due to not being able to complete a task.
• Lack of words to express one's feelings.
• To get your attention or to get something like a favorite toy.
• When moving from one thing to another (e.g., going to the bathroom after playing).

Reasons to seek medical attention

Sometimes there may be a medical condition behind this behavior.

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety
• Learning Disability
• Sensory Processing Issues
• Autism

Additionally, behavioral disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) can cause children to be angry, argumentative, and cruel to others. If you have any concerns about your child's behavior, be sure to talk to your doctor. He or she may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist if necessary.

How to prevent a temper tantrum?

While we can't prevent every tantrum, we can try to reduce them.

• Plan ahead: Don't make it a chore, like going to the store, for when your child is hungry or tired. Take a small snack or toy with you wherever you go.
• Maintain a consistent routine: Set a consistent time for things like eating, sleeping, and bathing. Children feel more calm when they know what's coming next.
• Give choices: Let your child make small decisions whenever possible. When asked something like, "Do you want to wear the red shirt or the blue shirt?", your child feels like they are in control.
• Praise good behavior: Catch the time your child is behaving well and praise them. Say, "You were very attentive at lunch today." Instead of giving them things as gifts, do things like let them spend more time with you or let them watch a movie they like.

How do you control a tantrum?

When a tantrum starts, your child needs your help to control it.

• Stay calm: If you shout or get angry, the situation will only get worse. Take a deep breath and calm down.
• Distract: Give him a different toy right away. Or show him a bird you can see through the window.
• Hug your child with love: If your child is struggling, struggling, or about to hurt themselves or others, hold them tightly with love until they calm down.
• Ignore the behavior: If the child is in a safe place and is not being harmed, sometimes you can ignore their behavior. This will help the child learn that this behavior is not helpful. However, it is essential to keep the child within sight .
• Explain the rules later: It's not helpful to lecture your child when he's angry. Once he's calmed down, talk to him in a loving way about what's right.

When should you seek medical advice?

If you think your child's behavior is beyond the normal developmental milestones, don't hesitate to seek medical advice. If you have any of the following signs, be sure to see your doctor .

• If the child injures themselves (scratches, bruises, bites).
• If you or other adults are being attacked.
• If your child is sent home from school or preschool due to their behavior.
• If you feel afraid for the safety of others around the child.
• If you feel helpless because of these behaviors, you may feel like you can't control your child.

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