4 Year Old Tantrums – Enough is Enough!

Enough is Enough – Getting Control of the 4 Year Old Tantrums

If only you were given the gift of mind reading the day you found out that you were going to be a parent. Having children would be much easier then. You would always know exactly what they wanted o needed… there wouldn’t be any guessing involved. You wouldn’t have to hope you were getting it right.

4 Year Old Tantrums – Enough is Enough! – The key to heading off a temper tantrum is planning, no mind reading needed. All you need is to know your child so that you can choose a solution that will work for your child.

The best part, you wouldn’t have to deal with temper tantrums. Yes, temper tantrums… the one thing that you are constantly told your child will outgrow… but here at 4, they are still having them.

Plan for 4 Year old Tantrums

The key to heading off a temper tantrum is planning, no mind reading needed. All you need is to know your child so that you can choose a solution that will work for your child. Keeping in mind that tactics you have successfully used at home may not necessarily work standing in line at the grocery or waiting in the doctor’s office.

Often times a 4 year old throws a temper tantrum out of boredom. Ask yourself what a child’s least favorite activity is in the world… waiting. So it is a good idea that you have some games in mind anytime you know there is going to be a wait. This can be standing in line at the grocery or waiting for the oil change on the car to be complete. Obviously board games are not ideal for these situations, so play mind games with your child. Games such as “I Spy” or “Find It First” are excellent games that will engage your child and help time pass quickly.

Snacks are important as well. Hunger is also a cause of temper tantrums. Keeping a supply of health, no perishable snacks are a good idea. Small bags of popcorn or pretzels, granola bars and all natural fruits chews or fruit leathers. You can also bag up your child’s favorite cereal. Sometime a snack bag of Honey Nut Cheerios or Fruit Loops is just what the doctor ordered to squash a tantrum. You can also keep juice boxes or small bottles of water.

Telling stories is also a good way to pass time and keep your child’s mind on something other than the wait. You can tell your child your favorite story from your childhood, or you can make up a story together. Four year olds are very imaginative and have enough experience to help create great stories. You may be surprised to find out how imaginative your child is.

You wouldn’t dream of leaving your house without your keys, wallet or purse. Why would you think of leaving your house without a bag of fun for your four year old. A small backpack with color book and crayons, books, small dolls or cars and other things to keep your child entertained. These can be used in the car on a drive, while you are at a restaurant having dinner, sitting in the waiting room someplace.

Play the get to know game. This is the perfect time for your child to learn about you and for you to learn about your child. Ask each other questions and build on the answers. For example, for a 4 year old, you can ask what they would like for their birthday… where would they like to go for dinner… what would happen if toys were real…and so on.

Also see, 1 Year Old Tantrums , 2 Year Old Tantrums , 3 Year Old Tantrums , 4 Year Old Tantrums , 5 Year Old Tantrums , 6 Year Old Tantrums