Brace Yourself for Meltdowns (1 of 7)

Parenting Challenge

Keep Your Cool
This is easier said than done, we know, but do your best to keep calm when your child's fury erupts. It's easy to get swept up in tempestuous one-year-old emotions, but becoming frustrated, yourself, will only make handling the situation more cumbersome (and, can further heighten your child's emotions).

Armed with the knowledge that toddler tantrums are likely several-times-a-day occurrences, you can begin to anticipate when seemingly inconsequential battles of wills may quickly and ferociously escalate. In the coming month or so, we'll identify precisely how to react to your child's tantrums. For this first week, however, accepting the frequency—and causes—of tantrums will be challenge enough.

Tantrum-Taming Tip

When you see your child sliding into tantrum mode:

1. Shift yourself into low emotional gear;
2. Take a few deep breaths;
3. Move toward your child.

Read all seven steps in this series:

• Brace Yourself for Meltdowns: Part 1 of 7
• NEXT WEEK: Identify Tantrum Triggers: Part 2 of 7
• Sidestep Tantrums: Part 3 of 7
• The Do's of Taming Tantrums: Part 4 of 7
• The Don'ts of Taming Tantrums: Part 5 of 7
• Deal with Public Meltdowns: Part 6 of 7
• Manage Your Own Tantrums: Part 7 of 7