So, just a normal day in our household, nothing out of the ordinary, but our four-year old decides to flip a switch. Tears come pouring, feet stomping and the loudest, most ear-shattering screams fill the house. Clean up time before dinner, that’s all it was. I mean, you’d think I’d asked him to pull up the carpet with bare hands.

He’s a wonderful little guy most of the time, but these tantrums are becoming more and more frequent. I always try to keep calm, because you know how they say, the calm mum is the strong mum, but man, it can be tough. Even Mary Poppins would’ve struggled today. Not that there’s a rulebook on parenting exactly.

I’ve tried everything I can think of. We’ve done the ignore and walk away. We’ve tried the whole sit and breathe together thing. Nothing. Nada. I don’t want to go down the time-out route but I’m at my wits’ end at this point.

Funny thing is, I was just talking to a friend (also a parent of a four-year old) and he says his daughter is the picture of sweetness, no tantrums at all. How is that even possible? Or is he just hiding the horrors?

Anyway, I thought I’d check in here and see if anyone else is dealing with the same issue. Or, well, survived it 🤔

oh, goodness, i feel you! been down that road too, mate. my kiddo used to have the same problem – epic meltdowns over the simplest things. felt like i was living with a miniature Hulk 😂

a strategy that worked for us was to actually give in occasionally. now, I know that sounds controversial, and I’m not saying let him become the king of the house, but sometimes if it’s not a big deal, you can just let it slide. Like, okay, five more minutes of playtime before cleaning up.

Also, distraction can be a lifesaver. Halfway into the tantrum, try to divert their attention to something they absolutely love. For my kid, it was dinosaurs. Half a roar, and he forgot about his tantrum and joined me in the “dino play”. Every kid is different, so it’s all about finding those unique quirks.

As for your friend, well, kids are as different as can be, so maybe his daughter is just naturally calmer, or like you said, maybe he’s just super good at hiding the horror scenes! 😀

Hang in there, it’s all just a phase; soon enough, we’ll be missing these times! Stay strong 👍

Agree with giving in some times. It’s like picking your battles, yeah? You don’t have to win every single one. I got twins and let me tell ya, if I didn’t let little things go, I’d be exhausted all the time! 😂

Distractions are good, but sometimes they don’t work for my kiddos. On those days, I try to help them recognise their feelings instead…something like ’I see you’re really upset because you have to stop playing. It’s hard, isn’t it?' Sounds a bit too touchy-feely, but it works sometimes.

Good luck mate, Hope this roller coaster eases up for you soon. Until then, have some you-time whenever you can grab it, You’re gonna need it!

Wow, twins! Hat’s off to you. Picking your battles is certainly a smart strategy. I’m a big advocate for teaching kids to handle emotions from an early age. You know, my mom had this ‘calm down jar’ filled with glitter and all, shake it, and let us watch it until the glitter settles. Worked like a charm when we lost our cool. Maybe worth a shot? And yes, definitely grab that ‘you-time’. So incredibly important. Stay strong and keep doing what you’re doing!

Absolutely love the idea of the ‘calm down jar’! It’s a really visual way for kiddos to understand the concept of needing to ‘settle’ their emotions. Also, it’s mesmerising, isn’t it? Anything to buy those precious moments of quiet. My aunt had this trick where she’d have us blow bubbles when we were upset. She said it was all about focusing on your breath and taking slow, deep ones. Did help with calming down, plus, bubbles! Might be another tool for your arsenal. Keep up the great work, and take that ‘you-time’ whenever you can. You’re doing an amazing job!

Oh, I hear you! Those four-year-old tantrums can be a real test of patience. It sounds like you're doing an amazing job staying calm, which is half the battle. Kids are just figuring out how to express big emotions, and sometimes it can feel like a storm. Have you tried giving him choices? Sometimes letting them feel a bit of control can help. Like, "Do you want to clean up the blocks first or the cars?" It might make him feel more involved in the decision.

As for your friend's daughter, every kid is different, and some are just more prone to expressing themselves loudly. It's totally normal, and it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. Hang in there! You're not alone in this. 😊

It sounds like you're really going through it! Tantrums can be so challenging, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere. Every child is different, so it's possible your friend's daughter is just in a different phase. What works for one kid might not work for another. Maybe try giving him choices to help him feel more in control? Like, "Do you want to clean up the blocks or the cars first?" It can sometimes help them feel like they have a say in what's happening. Hang in there, you're doing great even when it doesn't feel like it! 😊

Oh, I totally feel you on this one! It’s like they have a secret switch that just flips out of nowhere. My little one went through a similar phase, and it was exhausting. What helped us was trying to identify any patterns or triggers. Sometimes it was something as simple as being hungry or tired, even though they couldn't express it. Maybe try keeping a little diary of when these tantrums happen to see if there's a common theme?

Also, I found that giving choices helped a lot. Like, instead of "It's clean-up time," try "Do you want to pick up the blocks first or the cars?" It gives them a sense of control. And don't worry about your friend's seemingly perfect child—kids are all different, and everyone has their moments. You're doing great, and this phase will pass! 🌟

Oh, I feel you! Those tantrums can be so overwhelming, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere. It sounds like you're doing a great job staying calm, which is half the battle. Every child is different, and what works for one might not work for another. My little one went through a similar phase, and what helped us was giving choices. For example, instead of saying "clean up time," I'd ask, "Do you want to pick up the blocks or the cars first?" It gave him a sense of control and made the task less daunting.

Also, don't be too hard on yourself. Kids have their own personalities, and sometimes they just need to express themselves, even if it's loud and dramatic. As for your friend's daughter, who knows? Maybe she's saving her tantrums for when no one's looking! 😄 Hang in there, you're doing great. If you're looking for more ideas, this

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