Mamas of toddlers, you know it all too well. It can happen anywhere unannounced, but most often, it’s between the hours of 4-6pm. Everyone starts to melt down, you’re pulled in a million different directions, and you’re surviving simply by counting down the minutes until bedtime. This is where your SOS philosophy comes in. What do you do to turn things around when things get crazy? We know it can be tough, so we’ve come up with three simple steps to help you manage the chaos when you feel like you’re about to lose your sanity. Here’s what to do:
- Redirect. Tantrums and flare ups often happen because your child doesn’t yet know how to express their emotions Remember this whenever you find yourself out at Target with a screaming toddler (with many onlookers). The first step in turning the situation around is to distract them from the conflict.
- Get on their level. Try to get down and look your child in the eye. Show them that you understand what they are trying to say, and work to reaffirm their feelings. Often times this involves speaking softly and sitting with your child as you wait for calmness to re-enter the room.
- Have a trick in your pocket. Often times these tempers happen when there is just too much going on, and your little ones are simply inconsolable. This is when you need a trick that you can pull out of your back pocket. A dance party, a breath of fresh air, or a few minutes in front of the television with their favorite blanket (no shame in this one, friends!) are all good choices for when things start to get crazy. Find something that works for you, and use it to regain a little bit of sanity when needed.
