Dec 01 2009
When your Kid Throws a Tantrum
Ok, tell me what happens when your kid cries. Each time when he throws a tantrum or just breaks down because of tiredness (well, kids do get cranky when they are tired and sleepy, right?), what do you do?
Do you hug and hold him and try to soothe him? Or do you show your anger as well and tells him to shut up? Sometimes, we may think that kids cry for no reason and therefore, deserves to be punished but more often than not, I think we do know why they are crying. It’s just that whether the reason for the tears and tantrum is acceptable at that point of time.
For me, I can feel that I can be pretty inconsistent at times. When I’m in a good mood, then all the crying seems ok and acceptable. I will do my best to ask my son what is wrong and try to get him to calm down patiently. But when the mood is not there to be so accommodating, then I too may show my displeasure and start leaving him to cry it out on his own.
I guess this is where being a parent can be tough. The patience is not there all the time and there are moments when you too will lose your temper because of all the crying, although sometimes, it is not entirely your kid’s fault. If he is tired, you will know tantrums will be in store. For instance, if you have had activities for the whole day and your kid is tired by nightfall and starts to throw a tantrum, you too may be tired and start screaming back. Your kid has his moods but so do you.
I guess the challenge is being able to control your moods and emotions better than your child as a parent. Nobody can be patient all the time and maybe it is not wise either to always pamper a kid each time he turns cranky. The question, though, is whether you can make a rational judgment and punish your child calmly without blind anger when faced with his crying each and every time.
