She is "feeding" her dolls and loves to wear my, and anyone elses shoes. Part of growing up is also testing boundaries and in the last couple of weeks, she's had a couple of proper temper tantrums. Usually it's triggered by the fact that she can't have something. As we were landing in Birmingham she threw a tantrum as she couldnt have my mug. This morning, she didnt want to take off her pyjamas and got very angry and threw herself about on the floor crying.
I try to console her and distract her, but sometimes it seems best to leave her and just let her "work through it". Any tips from the more experienced parents out there?
I'm sure you handle this with grace and patience like everything else you do. But I definately think time is a key factor here. The Danish child guru Jesper Juhl often talks about how the children grow independemt and we get impatient. Kan-själv åldern närmar sig ju med stormdteg för Vera! It's not always possible to let the child have their will, but if there's a calm time when one doesn't have to rush to work for example, well, then let her do it herself.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm probably too lax and a push over when it comes to discipline, but definately chose my battles. (With 3 kids it's a must) and save the NO's for when there's danger for the child or someone else or risk of hurting someone.
I just don't belive in No's for the sake of no's, and I'm not afraid to let my kid "win". They may often be more right than I am! We're learning from eachother as we go!
Once the tantrum, or "hissy fit" (love that expression) is a fact, I agree that giving the child some time to work it out is the only way to go. Less questions, less words, getting down to childs eye level and a big hug after the tantrum is usually all good.
Freya was a breeze, even though she had her "OCD-like" issues at 2 and 3, but Denali is tantrum king... Live and learn. It's a good thing this is also in many way the most awesome age possible when we get to hear them express their personality more and more.
Love/ Anna