17 Month Old Starting to Have Temper Tantrums

Time out is great for this kind of situation because not only does it let him know that you're not going to put up with this sort of behavior it also gives him time to calm down and collect himself. Good luck.

I think the thing to remember is that YOU can't change his behavior, but you CAN change his location. I always told my son how sad I was that he was so upset, but I was not going to give in or watch it. I tried to instill in him the idea that being upset or disappointed is okay- but when you're with other people you have to respond in an appropriate way. I think the kiddos that go on forever with their fits must have, at some point, won the battle and they're hoping they will again. (I LOVE the book Parenting with Love and Logic- they have one for early childhood- birth to age 6)

You do both actually:) When you are at home, you pretty much ignore it. If it continues on and on, however, you tell him that you know that he is upset about...but this is not an acceptable way to express his anger. He can go to his room or in time out etc until he is calm. Now, in public..different story! I have 4 kids, and I know that kids will be kids, but it does not mean that everyone has to put up with that. So, you try to calm him down, if however that does not work quickly, then my next step is always to go to the car. If they can calm down, we can return to dinner, shopping or whatever. If not, we leave, period! I also take into consideration what I am asking of my children in dealing with this. If I know that I am running to the store and we are pushing nap time, then I do offer a little "bribe" to help things along..fruit snacks or whatever. If I am in a restaurant and it is taking forever, then somethings are just not really their fault,and we make concessions. I hope that hs been helpful, but I will say, in public, I always go outside, or even to the car, have my conversation, even offer my reward, and when all is calm, we return and sometimes get the promised reward. Just my two cents! ~A.~

L.,

My daughter (16 mos) did this today in a store. She threw herself down on the floor and proceeded to throw a tantrum because she didn't want to get back in her stroller. I normally don't acknowledge the fit. I picked her up and put her in her stroller. buckled her in and went on my way. The fit ends much quicker this way. I am by no means embarrassed by my daughter. All kids go through this and if someone looks at me weird as if their child won't, then they aren't living in the real world.

Don't worry, by the time he is able to speak better, the fits will change into something else. They will throw fits throughout their lives (yes all the way up through adulthood). Just determine what best works for your little guy. You are the one that has to live with him in the end. :)

GL!

L.,
Your kids will always see how far they can push the line, it will never stop. I have a 13, 11 and 2 year old. This is very normal behavior at this age. They can't talk, they don't know how to express what they want or how they feel, and they are trying to be a little independent. You have to do what you feel is right to do. I'm more of the easy going parent, so most of the time I'll ignore my 2 year old when he starts to do this and tell him his behavior isn't right. He's very stubborn and will act a fool, but he will stop.
Most of the time the kids will grow out of it, but there are the ones, who are very mind strong and want to get their way.
Enjoy motherhood!

my son has started doing this and we don't let him. we get on to him for it and he stops. he's only 14 months but he knows what hes doing. i've spanked him on the leg before.

Our 20 month old daughter has been doing this for about 4 months. I got to the point that I'd just ignore her & walk away. She'd stop crying shortly after I'd walk away. She just now started doing it out in public. She screams & cries like it's the end of the world & so far I've found that nothing calms her down. It's something that all toddlers (and mothers) go through & they will eventually grow out of, but not soon enough.

i have a 2 year old and we do not allow her to throw a fit (kicking, screaming rolling around on the floor etc.) at home or out in public. But if she is just crying and is pouting/upset about somthing (usually not getting her way)she is supposed to go upstairs to cry. I give her her lovey and she goes upstairs to her room. She is not allowed to come down until she has a "happy Heart". I have found that teaching her how to "find" her happy heart has really helped her learn to manage her emotions and taught her how to calm down. She also knows it's ok to cry but she doen't get all the attention because I ignore her until she comes down with a happy heart. kids don't have the words or emotional matureness to handle themselves when they are upset. That's why it is our job as parents to teach them what to do. I think they can do more than a lot of people give them credit for. And for sure NEVER give in to a tantrum. (or whining for that mater).

We are at 15 months and have had a couple tantrums. We just ignore him and turn our attention to something else. I mean, completely turn our heads and body to something else. Or, If I know he isn't near anything that can hurt him, I tell him, "I'm sorry you feel that way, but Mommy is going to another room and when you are finished crying you can come where I am." Usually the minute I leave the room, I hear some sniffles and he comes right to me. I bend down, tell him I love him and say, now, would you like some juice or a cracker, do you want to play ball, etc.... You are exactly right, they get overwhelmed with emotions and don't know how to express what they are feeling. Hope this helps.

Watch him and try to figure out what is causing the tantrums. If it's a power play, ignore him or say loudly that obviously he is very tired to be acting this way and put him down for a nap. If it's frustration, get down to his level and work out a way to communicate what's wrong ("use your words" if he is verbal or "show me" if he uses hand signals)

At home - step over him and go on about your business. In public-you may have to take him to the car or even go home if it's really bad. Remember that they will do what works for them. So if you give in after they scream in public they learn to scream in public. Make sure that when you go to run errands, that you take some kind of snacks with you to help avoid them being cranky because they haven't had lunch or their snack on time.