Toddler tantrums timeline
Toddler tantrums timeline
Stage one
Lucy and daughter Beth, two, are at the newsagent looking for a birthday card, when Beth spots some sweets.
Mum thinks: "Oh no – why do they put sweets where she can see them?"
Beth thinks: "I can see sweets. I want some of those"
Stage two
Beth asks her mum for sweets and when Lucy says no the temperature rises fast. As she feels more under pressure, Lucy takes a tougher line.
Beth: "Want sweets. Want S-W-E-E-T-S!"
Mum: "No you can't have any. We've got to get a birthday card for Nana."
Beth: "BETH WANT SWEETS."
Mum: "STOP IT THIS MINUTE! EVERYONE'S LOOKING AT YOU. WE'VE GOT TO GET NANA'S CARD."
Stage three
Beth works herself up into a full blown tantrum – to the horror of other customers. Although she's embarassed, Lucy knows it's best to ignore a tantrum and wait for it to pass.
Beth: "BETH WANT SWEETS!"
Stage four
After what seems like an age, Beth starts to calm down. To distract her, a relieved Lucy suggests that Beth choose the card.
Mum: "When you're calmed down, I'd really like you to help me find a card for Nana."
Mum: "I can see you were really upset about those sweets. Come on now, let's get a card for Nana."
Mum: "I'll tell you what, let's see who can find the nicest card for Nana."
Stage five
Beth picks out a card and toddles over to Lucy, tantrum forgotten . . .
Things to think about:
- How well do you think Lucy handled the tantrum?
- Could she have done anything differently?
- How might the tantrum have been avoided?