Your child has just turned two; congratulations. Your little one is getting older with each passing day and you can see it happening before your eyes. However, it is not just the physical changes you have noticed; there are also some behavioral changes that have been taking place. All of a sudden, your adorable, happy and sweet child has changed into someone else altogether. Now, you are dealing with behaviors such as screaming, fighting with siblings, kicking and biting, temper tantrums or total meltdowns.
A lot of parents make the mistake of assuming that disciplining involves yelling and screaming at your child or spanking them. While these are great ways for you to let out your frustration, they will have a negative impact on your child in the future. So, how do you eliminate the terrible twos without screaming or spanking? Here are some tips that can be helpful:
- Establish a routine for your toddler
One of the primary reasons why children often throw tantrums is because they are overwhelmed and confused and are unable to understand what is going on. This is one of the reasons why your child might be acting like a brat when they are meeting your relatives or friends who are total strangers to them. The best way to manage this issue is by instituting a routine or schedule so that the kids know what to expect and are less likely to need many disciplines.
If you want more methods on how to eliminate tantrums without spanking or yelling, check out this YouTube video:
Eliminate Terrible Twos: Simple Methods
- Make allowances for them
Terrible twos are a fact and cannot be changed. They happen with almost all children so you have to accept that your child is going to have meltdowns. The key is to understand that they are kids and you cannot expect them to behave like adults. But, there are steps you can take for preventing them from happening. You can find things to keep children occupied or interested. As long as they are doing something, they are less likely to throw tantrums.
- Figure out the root cause
Something that starts as a small tantrum can turn into a full-blown meltdown. Why does that happen? Most parents assume that it is just defiant behavior, but there might be a reason behind it. Toddlers often feel overwhelmed with emotions or may simply be tired. Knowing the reason for their actions can help you in dealing with them in the future.
- Be consistent
One of the biggest mistakes that parents make and end up drawing out the terrible twos is by making empty threats and not following up on them. It is better not to discipline or threaten if you don’t have any intention of seeing it through. By not sticking to your word, you are showing your toddler that they can push the limits. But, when you are consistent, they will know who is in charge.
While there is no foolproof way of preventing tantrums and meltdowns altogether, you can still manage the terrible twos without spanking or screaming at your child.