If your child has frequent bouts of anger, it may be no cause for concern. Most likely, your child will grow out of her tantrum phase once she learns how to express herself with words. In some cases, frequent tantrums may be caused by attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or a developmental delay, says Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant, Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. If your child's tantrums seem particularly severe, consult her doctor.
Ask About Her Anger
If your child is huffing around the house, ask him about his bad mood instead of scolding him for it, says William Sears, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Instead of reprimanding your child for his bout of anger, ask him to explain how he is feeling and show empathy for his mood. Your child may be angry because he wants to be heard and having a sympathetic audience will lighten his mood. Show your child that you have heard and appreciate his opinions by asking him questions or asking how the two of you could work to fix the problem.
Let Her Choose
If your child is constantly battling you over what to eat for lunch or what to wear for school, let her have her way sometimes, says developmental psychologist, Susanne Ayers Denham in an article on childcare website, BabyCenter.com. Allow your child to pick what to have for lunch by offering her two or three healthy options that you have on hand and are willing to prepare. This way, although you are still in control of the situation and providing her with healthy eating options, your child can feel like she had a say in what she is doing.
Minimize the Pressure
If your child gets easily frustrated about spilling his cereal or accidentally dropping his toys on the floor, he may be picking up signals from you. If you hold yourself and your child to high standards, show your child that making mistakes is okay, says Dr. Sears. Instead of losing your temper when you drop an egg on the floor, make a joke out of it while you clean it up. If your child sees you making light of your own mistakes, he may follow suit and learn that a glass of spilled milk is no big deal.
