My 13 month old has a temper...

karatechrissy · August 2012

My son will be 13 months tomorrow. I'm having a really difficult time with him. My DD was an angel baby. Has always been very well behaved. She is 25 months old and speaks very well for her age. To this day has never thrown a tantrum where she throws herself anywhere. She uses words very well. Sometimes I think she is more of a grown up than I am...

My son is a completely different story. He gets upset very easily, (Example: if I have food in my hand and haven't handed it to him quickly enough, he will throw himself backwards on the floor screaming, roll around, then look up at me to make sure I'm watching him. It's absolutely an act) and I always ignore, hoping it will discourage this behavior. Now it is getting to the point where he isn't watching what is around him, and he will just throw himself down and smack his head on whatever is around. An entertainment center, tile floor, chairs, you name it. Then he really DOES get hurt. He already falls and hurts himself more than DD ever has. He is just so rough. I know it has to be a boy thing, but I have never gone through this before. I have an older step son, but I entered his life when he was 2, and he was old enough to be speaking so, my first real encounter with this kind of thing was DD, and like I said, she was an angel baby. DS is throwing hard toys at people's faces on PURPOSE now, and I don't know where he even picked up to do that. He gave me a fat lip with a block today. He is just so rough sometimes and it's really upsetting me. Is this just a boy thing that I have to just deal with and wait till it stops after me telling him no more??

I feel so dumb... but I am really at my wits end. Any words of advice or encouragement? My DS is very loving and cuddly and sweet. He cuddles with the dogs every morning to say hi, runs after them laughing, always wants mommy and to be held.. so he isn't a 'mean spirited' baby or anything... but something over the past few weeks has gotten him into this destructive angry tantrum throwing child and I don't know what to do.

MrsCodeMonkey · August 2012

Yu can try reading Happiest Toddler on the Block. It has ideas for how to handle tantrums. I'm dealing with biting and pincing. No fun! GL.

dairygirl19 · August 2012

It's tough, but it's also normal toddler behavior. He doesn't know how to communicate/use his words effectively yet, so he's doing the only thing he knows how.

As for throwing, I grab fingers, say NO sternly and take the toy away. It works when my LO does it and I learned it working in daycare as it was our protocol. They'll get it eventually. Also, removing them from the situation and distraction works well too. Explain why as you're doing it. He won't "get it" right away but it will sink in and he'll know what will happen if you're consistent.

As for the tantrums, just ignore. My pedi told me a kid will never hit themselves hard enough to do damage. If you're worried, pick him up, move him and walk away.

Also, does your kid need to be "busier?" Mine gets downright naughty the second she's bored, needs more stimulation etc. Outside works wonders for that.

heymommy · August 2012

I'd put him in the high chair before he sees you handling any food you are about to give him.

I'm not sure at what other time he tosses himself to the ground but at least he'd be in a chair when it comes to food.

KMEss86 · August 2012

My son just went through a really bad throwing stage... Anything he could find laying around got thrown at the dog. I tried everything and the only thing that worked was to just catch him when hes about to do it, take the toy or whatever out of his hand without saying anything and completely ignore him. He stopped very quickly after he realized he was getting absolutely no reaction.

As for the food thing, the only advice I have is to be sure not to give him any food until he has calmed down again.

Want a personalized experience?

My 13 month old has a temper...

Re: My 13 month old has a temper...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards