how do you handle a tantrum?

beachgirl1977

ds can be quite stubborn. Scolding him during a tantrum only prompts him top scream louder and tell use we are "Bad" and "not his friend" 

I find ignoring him seems to work best. He still yells but after a while it turns to a pitiful crying and he'll take hugs and kisses to calm down or his snaps out of it and runs over with a huge smile and says "look mommy, I'm all better now- are your proud?"

It is like a split personality! Please tell me I don't have the only 3 yo like this! 

hikerbeth

My DD is required to have tantrums in her room (if we're at home, of course).  I just leave her until she calms down.  Then she tells me she's all done, apologizes, and that's that.

It's ignoring, but also getting rid of her audience.

And you don't have the only 3 year old like that

winomom22

I sometimes wonder if my dtr is bipolar the way her mood can switch too. Par for the course for a 3 year old I am afraid. I make dd go to her room until she is done throwing her tantrum and let her come out when she is done. I then give her a hug and have her apologize.

Marce921

I find that ignoring the tantrum is the best option as well. And trust me, you are NOT the only one with a 3 yr old like that!

Zenya

If my DS tantrums it's usually b/c he's hungry or tired.  If he's out of control I ask him to go calm down in his room but he always has the option to ask for help (and often does).  I never refuse comfort during a tantrum. Sometimes a hug is just what he needs.