The childhood stage is a period full of discoveries, learning and emotional development in the little ones. However, it can also bring with it challenges that parents and caregivers face on a daily basis. One of the most common and often disconcerting situations is dealing with tantrums in infants. Those emotional outbursts and intense reactions can leave adults wondering how to handle them effectively. In this article, we will explore four fundamental guidelines that can help prevent and manage tantrums in infants, allowing parents and caregivers to establish a solid foundation for healthy and harmonious emotional growth.

1 — ANTICIPATION and PREVENTION: avoid conflict situations, detect previous signs.

  We all know that there are places that are more compromised than others (the supermarket line, the corner kiosk, etc.). If while one of us goes out with the child from the supermarket, the other pays and picks up the shopping or if we avoid passing in front of the toy store... we will be saving ourselves unnecessary trouble. A child does not go from zero to one hundred in a second . Before the conflict breaks out, there are some signs that can tell us that our child does not agree with something and is getting angry. If we pay attention to them, we will surely detect a small gesture of displeasure or a "I don't like it."

2 — EMPATHY and FLEXIBILITY: Put ourselves in their place and it really can't be?

We must keep in mind that the way children understand reality is very different from that of adults. Where we see a messy room, they see their own order, their own arrangement of things. Parents have to distinguish the things that are really important from those that are more secondary. Many times, we fill their lives with rules and limits that have no real practical meaning and are a source of frustration for children.

Children must have and understand minimum safety rules (knives cut), coexistence (if I scream at night, I may disturb others) and respect for others (if I hit another, it hurts), but beyond these minimum limits, children also need room to experiment, enjoy and expand their minds.

3 — COMMUNICATION and OPTIONS: Verbalize what is happening to you and offer alternatives if it cannot be.

To minimize children's angry outbursts we need communication . If our child is able to express things like "I don't like it" or "I'm getting angry", when he or she reaches 2-3 years old, it will be much easier for us to understand what he or she wants and be able to talk to him when it is not possible to grant it. Choose the right moment (while he is in the middle of the drama it will be difficult for him to listen), talk to him calmly, with a calm tone, explain the reasons why he cannot do what he wants at that moment: "I know you want to continue riding your bike, "But it's gotten dark, mom is very tired and we have to go home." Furthermore, in this way, he will feel respected and learn to treat other people with respect.

You always have to have a "plan B" . We must keep in mind a list of our children's favorite activities and games so that we can offer them an alternative when we cannot give them what they ask for. Running, tumbling, tickling, etc. In general, any activity that involves playing with mom or dad is a good idea. Any child prefers to play with their parents rather than a candy.

4 — TIREDNESS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS: The great enemy; breathe and… ask for relief!

When we are tired we are more irascible; It happens to us adults and also to the little ones in the house. There are very boring or tiring situations (shopping at the supermarket or a car trip) and if we combine tiredness and boredom, conflict can arise at any time.

Adults also have moments of exhaustion when it is more difficult for us to talk and be calm with our children. There are very complicated situations that can take us to the limit of our endurance. In those moments, we must pause, breathe deeply several times and, if possible, ask for a short relief to regain calm. Remember, always: you must keep in mind that you are the adult and the main model for your children. How you handle these situations will lay the foundation for how they will resolve their conflicts as adults. If they have been treated with respect, they will grow up more balanced, they will know how to defend themselves and express their opinions.

Text adapted from:

https://www.abc.es/familia-padres-hijos/20131116/abci-rabietas-infantiles-actuar-201311151247.html