Ryan is a pretty quick tempered boy despite his generally happy disposition and personality. Since he was a baby, he would get angry pretty quickly and make a fuss if not quickly attended to when he wants what he wants. As parents, we’ve always been told by others that we should not spoil him by giving in to him. Instead, we should train him by instilling good discipline in him.
Lately, Ryan’s been more demanding and whenever he wants something or thinks that someone will take something away from him, he would scream first. He’s also rather possessive of stuff nowadays, even when they don’t belong to him.
At bed time, when he refuses to sleep, he would fuss and “scold” us if we force him to lie down to sleep. Sometimes we’re really at wits end trying to get him down to sleep. And dealing with his quick temper is not easy as well. I don’t normally like to resort to threats or ultimatums, but I found that I had to, otherwise he just won’t give it up.
Other times, when he’s in a more reasonable mood, he takes to reasoning. It’s a lot easier to talk sense into him during such times. I definitely prefer this method of disciplining him. Unfortunately it doesn’t always work.
So how do you go about dealing with a toddler with a quick temper?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I am in the same predicament, except that mine is a pre-schooler!! So you now understand why I say I look forward to Mondays, gives me a break from all those screams and wails.
And they told us not to threaten …… sigh.
Hehe, the only difference between us is that I still don’t look forward to Mondays!
My son just turned 2 and screams immediately if he doesn’t get what he wants. The only things that work are:
1.) Redirect him immediately to something else he might like. Basically make him forget he wanted what he wanted
2.) Commiserate with him. “I know it’s not fun when you can’t get what you want. I agree with you. It sucks! But you can watch Mickey Mouse after your nap.”
3.) Start singing, “Happy Birthday to you….” For some reason this snaps him out of any bad mood. It’s his on/off switch.
so you just have to find that on/off switch with toddlers. But who knew singing Happy Birthday would do that?
Erin, I do try redirecting him to something else and I have to say 70% of the time, it works well. He seems to have quite short memory when he gets distracted. Item #3 is funny!! Haha. Good for you to have found the magic switch!