Sidestep Tantrums (3 of 7)

Parenting Challenge

Build in Time for Sidesteps
The truth is that trying to evade tantrums can be time-consuming. When you're planning your daily schedule, you'll fare better if you give yourself an extra 15 minutes as you move from one activity to the next. This will give you the time you need to calm yourself if your toddler's rage starts to boil and be judicious about giving your child transitional warnings.

Tantrum-Taming Tip

Not all tantrums—or tantrum-throwers—are created equal. You may notice that your child's fits are long, drawn-out affairs that are easy to anticipate, while your sister's toddler exhibits tiny tizzy fits that pass quickly but are tough to predict. Just as each child develops at his or her own pace and has a distinct temperament, so too do tantrum styles differ. So try lots of tantrum prevention tactics and coping skills, but feel comfortable relying more regularly on ones you know suit your child's unique personality.

Read all seven steps in this series:

• Brace Yourself for Meltdowns: Part 1 of 7
• Identify Tantrum Triggers: Part 2 of 7
• Sidestep Tantrums: Part 3 of 7
• NEXT WEEK: 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