Toddler Tantrum Quotes

Nathan had never wanted children of his own. Plenty of reasons. Babies screamed as soon as they were born – wasn’t that warning enough of what was to come? And when they grew into toddlers, and then young kids, they were far worse: tantrums, more screaming, whining. How many business trips, restaurant dinners, theatre visits, you name it, were ruined by one small, precocious loud brat and its doting, utterly useless parents? No discipline any more. Nathan had sure been disciplined.

Tantrums are not bad behavior. Tantrums are an expression of emotion that became too much for the child to bear. No punishment is required. What your child needs is compassion and safe, loving arms to unload in.

Are you throwing a temper tantrum?” he asked with a grin. “Because this is not Toddlers and Tiaras." -Caeden

Maybe she exhausted herself mid-meltdown. Like when toddlers fall asleep in the height of their tantrum.

And yet it was true: the responsibility was huge, but there is nothing about being a father that I don’t love. I even found the toddler tantrums weirdly charming. You think you’re being difficult, my little sausage? Have I ever told you about the time I drank eight vodka martinis, took all my clothes off in front of a film crew and then broke my manager’s nose?

Like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum, she guzzled down the vodka in hopes that Hef would feel that urge to rescue her or care for her.

You have more power than you realise. There is nothing your mother can really do. Her Narcissistic Rage is only toddlers’ tantrums, and can be seen as such. Her Narcissistic Huff is just a sulk.

Some critics disapprove of giving kids “rewards.” They say, “Children should obey simply out of respect.” Nice idea, but expecting toddlers to cooperate purely out of respect is like expecting patience from a baby. It’s not going to happen.

Your ultimate goal as a parent is not to win any one particular fight or another, but rather to win your child’s love and respect for a lifetime.

Whatever your species, there's no force of nature more terrifying than a toddler tantrum.

Hitting children teaches them that it’s okay for big people to hit little people and that it’s okay to vent anger through violence. Is that really what you want your child to learn? And what sense does it make to spank kids to punish them for hitting? We don’t teach children not to spit by spitting at them, do we?

Remember, there’s a huge difference between angry feelings and angry actions. Yes, you have to discourage misbehavior, but it’s superimportant that your child know that you understand how she feels, and you care, even if you disagree.

Whatever is getting in the way of your plan for the day- the toddler's tantrum, the messy bedroom, the sticky juice leaking all over the fridge and into the cracks of the drawers, the frustrated child, the irritable husband, the car that won't start, the vomiting dog, the pie spilled on the oven door...whatever that intrusion into your grand plan for the day is, it's also an opportunity to enter into rest.

It’s always hardest to remember to acknowledge a child in the heat of a difficult moment, but if a child can hear anything during a temper tantrum, it reassures him to hear our recognition of his point-of-view. “You wanted an ice cream cone and I said ‘no’. It’s upsetting not to get what you want.” When a toddler feels understood, he senses the empathy behind our limits and corrections. He still resists, cries, and complains, but at the end of the day, he knows we are with him, always in his corner. These first years will define our relationship for many years to come.

Even the greatest geniuses fail … many, many times! Dr. Seuss, America’s beloved children’s author, was rejected twenty-eight times before he found a publisher for The Cat in the Hat. Barbra Streisand’s off-Broadway debut opened and closed the same night. Walt Disney was once fired because he “lacked imagination” and “had no original ideas.

Alas: in the Stillness, destroying mountains is as easy as an orogene toddler’s temper tantrum. Destroying a people takes only a bit more effort.

toddlers learn more between 12 months and three years old than during any other stage throughout their whole life?

What seems to be a lack of flexibility (“I can’t eat breakfast without my favorite spoon!”) is actually an expression of their strong sense of order. What looks like a battle of wills is actually your toddler learning that things don’t always go their way. What looks like repeating the same annoying game over and over is actually the child trying to gain mastery. What appears to be an explosive tantrum is actually the toddler saying, “I love you so much, I feel safe to release everything that I’ve been holding on to all day.” What seems to be intentionally going slowly to wind us up is actually them exploring everything in their path.

Here’s one more bit of consolation for you: Toddlers save their biggest meltdowns for their parents. We’re the people with whom they feel the safest. So you might consider your primitive little friend’s tantrums a form of flattery.

Most people think that what we say is the key to good communication. Of course, words are very important, but when you’re talking to someone who is upset (mad, sad, scared, etc.), what you say is much less important than the way you say it.

Children whose feelings are lovingly acknowledged during the toddler years grow up emotionally intact. They know how to ask their friends for help and how to support others in need. They seek out healthy relationships, avoiding bullies and choosing confidantes and life partners who are thoughtful and kind. Respect: As Important as Love

Massage (A Very Special Type of Attention) Lavish your toddler with loving touch! Touch is a rich “food” for growth. Your toddler could easily live without milk, but he’d be scarred for life without loving touch. (I agree with the noted psychologist Virginia Satir, who said we all need four hugs a day for survival, eight to stay calm, and twelve to grow stronger.)

The hospital is as busy as it was yesterday. We go in through the main entrance, and people walk in every direction. The people in scrubs and white coats all walk a little bit faster. There’s a guy sleeping on one of the waiting room sofas, and a hugely pregnant woman leaning against the wall by the elevator. She’s swirling a drink in a plastic cup. That baby is giving her T-shirt a run for its money. A toddler is throwing a tantrum somewhere down the hallway. The shrieking echoes. We move to the bank of elevators, too, and Melonhead isn’t one of those guys who insists on pressing a button that’s already lit. He smiles and says “Good afternoon” to the pregnant woman, but I can’t look away from her swollen belly. My mother is going to look like that. My mother is going to have a baby. My brain still can’t process this. Suddenly, the woman’s abdomen twitches and shifts. It’s startling, and my eyes flick up to find her face. She laughs at my expression. “He’s trying to get comfortable.” The elevator dings, and we all get on. Her stomach keeps moving. I realize I’m being a freak, but it’s the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t stop staring. She laughs again, softly, then comes closer. “Here. You can feel it.” “It’s okay,” I say quickly. Melonhead chuckles, and I scowl. “Not too many people get to touch a baby before it’s born,” she says, her voice still teasing. “You don’t want to be one of the chosen few?” “I’m not used to random women asking me to touch them,” I say. “This is number five,” she says. “I’m completely over random people touching me. Here.” She takes my wrist and puts my hand right over the twitching. Her belly is firmer than I expect, and we’re close enough that I can look right down her shirt. I’m torn between wanting to pull my hand back and not wanting to be rude. Then the baby moves under my hand, something firm pushing right against my fingers. I gasp without meaning to. “He says hi,” the woman says. I can’t stop thinking of my mother. I try to imagine her looking like this, and I fail. I try to imagine her encouraging me to touch the baby, and I fail. Four months. The elevator dings. “Come on, Murph,” says Melonhead. I look at the pregnant lady. I have no idea what to say. Thanks? “Be good,” she says, and takes a sip of her drink. The elevator closes and she’s gone

I often think of the power of partial reinforcement, of how a diet of rare and random rewards can make a behavior difficult to extinguish. I don’t currently have to deal with toddlers who throw tantrums and I’ve never been tempted by slot machines. But I often find myself lost online, staring at my phone, numbly clicking on links, watching videos, doing the drag-down-to-refresh gesture in the hopes of seeing something that makes me feel good, and when I do all this, I am reminded of a rat in the behaviorist’s cage.

At the point of the tantrum, your child has told you she is overwhelmed and over the edge. She cannot listen or be rational in the midst of it. Don’t make demands of your child, don’t try to cajole or negotiate, as she is too upset. Once they have hit the meltdown point, the best you can do is let them have the tantrum, and never laugh or shame them for it. This level of anger is actually frightening to them, too. They are literally beyond control themselves, their brains are overwhelmed, and they count on you to keep them safe. For some children, that means you sitting close by and waiting. Other children want or need to be held (some thrash a lot, so protect yourself).

Here’s a fourth principle, one that is more particularly psychological: parents should understand their own capacity to be harsh, vengeful, arrogant, resentful, angry and deceitful. Very few people set out, consciously, to do a terrible job as father or mother, but bad parenting happens all the time. This is because people have a great capacity for evil, as well as good—and because they remain willfully blind to that fact. People are aggressive and selfish, as well as kind and thoughtful. For this reason, no adult human being—no hierarchical, predatory ape—can truly tolerate being dominated by an upstart child. Revenge will come. Ten minutes after a pair of all-too-nice-and-patient parents have failed to prevent a public tantrum at the local supermarket, they will pay their toddler back with the cold shoulder when he runs up, excited, to show mom and dad his newest accomplishment. Enough embarrassment, disobedience, and dominance challenge, and even the most hypothetically selfless parent will become resentful. And then the real punishment will begin. Resentment breeds the desire for vengeance. Fewer spontaneous offers of love will be offered, with more rationalizations for their absence. Fewer opportunities for the personal development of the child will be sought out. A subtle turning away will begin. And this is only the beginning of the road to total familial warfare, conducted mostly in the underworld, underneath the false façade of normality and love.

I heard a choking sound behind me. When I looked back, Cannoli was hanging from the backpack harness with her hind legs circling frantically in the air. She looked like she was riding a bike just above ground level. "Cannoli," I yelled. I unhooked her and made sure she was breathing on her own. When I tried to get her back in the backpack, she whimpered. I talked to her soothingly yet firmly, then tried again. This time she started howling like I was hurting her. People turned and stared as they walked by. "What are you looking at?" I said to one couple. I suddenly felt true remorse for every time I'd stared at a parent with a toddler throwing a tantrum. I made a vow to be a better aunt to Tulia's kids if I ever made it out of this parking garage. I pleaded with Cannoli one more time.

So let’s imagine for now that our love for our children and our thankfulness for their existence is a given. Let’s imagine that no one can possibly doubt the depths of our feelings for our sons and daughters. Let’s imagine that everyone in the world knows exactly how much we love all the many things there are to love about our children and the relationships we have with them. Let’s imagine that we are all most definitely Good Moms, and, with all that on our side, admit for a moment what we don’t love. I’ll give you my list, you add your own. I don’t love every minute of going to the playground. I don’t love every minute of going to the museums. I don’t love every minute of watching Elmo. I don’t love every minute of having to wake up early in the morning. I don’t love every minute of having interrupted sleep at night. I don’t love every minute of having to be the one to make the rules and the one who must enforce them. I don’t love every minute of laundry. I don’t love every minute of changing diapers. I don’t love every minute of having to endure the stares of people when my child freaks out in public. I don’t love every minute of making food that my kid ends up throwing on the floor. I don’t love every minute that I have the Barney song stuck in my head. I don’t love every minute of having to reason with a tantrum-throwing toddler. I don’t love every minute of being peed on, pooped on, and thrown-up on. I don’t love every minute of weaning. I don’t love every minute of sidewalk chalk. I don’t love every minute of having to pick up the blocks fifteen times a day. I don’t love every minute of putting my life on hold. I don’t love every minute of tantrums. I don’t love every minute of going to story time at the library. I HATE the Teletubbies. I don’t love every minute of being chained to someone else’s routine. I don’t love every minute of not being able to go to the bathroom without company. I don’t love every minute of being a mother.

There are times when parenthood seems like nothing more than feeding the hand that bites you.” —Peter De Vries

When you use punishment as a discipline technique, you are sending your child the message that you want him to suffer for his actions. In his subconscious, he is making the connection that your love is equal to your approval.

As the parent enforcing a rule with punishment, you may see yourself as “taking charge” or “laying down the law.” What you might not see is that underneath his compliance, he is choosing to change his behavior because he afraid of being hurt or abandoned.

I like the way you’re sitting” or “Terrific job!” does provide positive reinforcement, but if praise is overused, the technique becomes emotionally manipulative.

Dammit.” I huffed and tried my best not to throw a toddler tantrum, and thought about punching the steering wheel as

I was clear from the very beginning that I didn't want kids, so it's not like I misled him. But then I realized he thought I'd change my mind." "Ugh. I hate when men think you don't know yourself." "Occasionally, people do change their minds, but I've known since I was sixteen." Vivian paused. "With all the time I spent looking after my younger brothers and sister, I realized I didn't want to go through that again. And I'm really not a fan of the baby and toddler stages. Toddler logic and tantrums?" She shuddered.

Once you realize which feelings lie beneath your anger, spend a minute to realize how unfair it was for you to have been treated in that way when you were a child. But you will be a happier person, and a better parent, if you can forgive those who caused you pain. Make your peace … let go of the past … savor the present.

Each night at bedtime, remind yourself of two or three of the tiny successes or happy experiences from the day that has just passed: “I had many blessings today, like meeting the new neighbor down the street; dinner came out great; I didn’t yell at my child even once.

The amazing thing about bedtime sweet talk is that pretty soon you’ll start noticing how much more is going right in your life than you

BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL. If you are calm under pressure, your child will take the cue. And if you have a temper tantrum when you are upset, expect that your child will do the same. He’s watching you, always watching.

How do you make a child behave? The answer may be shocking: you don’t. He alone is able to choose to modify his behavior within the scope of his current developmental capabilities.

If you don’t like your child’s behavior, just wait a few weeks for a new developmental stage. By then, you’ll have an entirely different problem to figure out!

When used properly, distraction and redirection is a respectful way of disciplining a young toddler.

Find your calm. The first step in handling any behavioral issue is to keep your own emotions in check.

For example, “You are feeling angry because you really wanted to play with that lamp.

Children who do not get adequate sleep may show irritability, physical aggression, and—although it may seem a contradiction—hyperactivity.

there is no comfort in knowing that he can come back to the park and play tomorrow because to him, the concept of “tomorrow” does not exist yet.

She is fairly adept at reading your moods as well, and then responding to or ignoring them as it suits her.

It’s best to make sure your firmest limits are used sparingly and to offer alternatives whenever possible.

She can understand most simple directions and by now has acquired quite a large vocabulary. However, she will still be unable to tell you her thoughts and feelings,

The cognitive abilities of a 1-year-old are primarily impulsive and reactive. Her senses are highly attuned to her immediate surroundings, and as her prefrontal cortex is still largely undeveloped, she will not have access to foresight or logic.

There’s nothing wrong with a toddler having a tantrum. It’s natural. It’s our job to teach them other ways to deal with it.

Do your best to be empathetic when your child cries (or has a temper tantrum). He may just be frustrated with his lack of abilities.

Saffy had never been an easy child. Defiant and headstrong, she was born with a will already forged in iron. Nonetheless, I’d always expected that having a teenager would be a turning point, the part of parenthood where everything got better. Throughout those early years of nappies, teething, tantrums and night terrors I’d consoled myself by imagining a time when my girls were old enough to be self-sufficient. Maybe then I wouldn’t be pulled in three different directions, always spinning plates. But Saffy’s defiance had grown into disrespect and contempt. I felt as though I needed an emotional suit of armour to protect myself from her spiteful comments. She resented every thought, cell, breath, and ounce of me.

That stupid kid is always withering the wrong people. First his parents, then his aunt when she took him in. If I hadn’t knocked the little fucker out, he would probably have killed her in a toddler tantrum.

Immediate testers, however, get worse at first. When you let them know you’re going to be the boss and you take away the power of their favorite testing strategies, these children deteriorate in two ways. Some will up the ante with a particular testing tactic. The volume and length of a child’s tantrums, for example, may double. Badgering may become more intense or aggressive, and martyrdom may become more whiney and pathetic.

When he's like that?" Whiskey echoes in disbelief. "You make it sound like he's a toddler throwing a temper tantrum and not a seven-foot-fucking-three monster juggernaut going on a murderous rampage!

Middle toddlers (24 to 36 months): Middle toddlers hate unexpected changes because they work so hard to figure things out (“C’mon! I just finally got it…. Don’t go changing it on me!”). That’s why routines are such a huge bonus at this age. They fill your two-year-old’s need for things to “follow the rules” and be “just so.

Imagine that you do not have any control over most things, which by the way describes toddlers' daily experiences. Something makes you feel frustrated and angry but you cannot control your own emotions. On top of that, you are told that your feelings are wrong ("It's no big deal. No need to be upset."), your attempt to heal hurts is met with disapproval ("Don't cry."), and you are scolded for something you cannot help ("Stop being a baby.") Wouldn't you want to throw an explosive fit, too?

When you say you’re writing about “motherhood” some people assume that the story—if indeed there is any story at all—will consist only of sleepless nights, diaper changes, nursing debacles, and tantruming toddlers. They assume if they opened your book they would be sucked into the minutiae of daily life with children.

It was also believed that the stain of original sin predisposed a person toward evil and that the child’s will should be crushed at an early age. The assertiveness of the toddler who is beginning to exercise his own will, as evidenced by temper tantrums, saying “no” and “it’s mine,” are the natural behaviors of separation and personal boundary building. In the past they were thought to be manifestations of the human propensity for sin. We now know that these behaviors are perfectly normal.

nutrient. When you give your child a big daily dose of “Vitamin P,” you: •   thrill his senses •   help him master movement •   sharpen his thinking •   encourage his language use •   boost his people skills •   teach him about the world •   stimulate his immune system •   build his self-confidence •   improve his sleep Do you see why play is such a brilliant way to feed your child’s meter? Happy, healthy toddlers have their days filled with chasing, pretending, rolling, and tinkering.

Toddlers in our culture have a hard time. Before they even reach their first birthday they have already been the subject of much discussion: "Is she good?" ... "Just wait until those tantrums start!" ... "What a diva!" It is so expected of our little darlings to become little tyrants, that people would almost be disappointed if they didn't perform. Don't underestimate the effect this has on our babies.

Toddlers save their biggest meltdowns for their parents. We’re the people with whom they feel the safest. So you might consider your primitive little friend’s tantrums a form of flattery.

Avoid mixed messages. Speaking too sweetly or smiling while you set a limit confuses kids. It unintentionally gives a green light to your toddler’s annoying acts. If you want your child to know you mean business, crouch down (staying just a bit above your child’s eye level) and give your message with a deep voice and a serious face.

Shari, I know Richard took your block and you’re mad, mad, mad! But, no scratch! No scratch! Stop now!

During the months after a child’s first birthday, I recommend doing time-outs several times a week. That helps your tot learn your I’m not kidding! signal. Your serious tone of voice, disapproving frown, and counting to three will make him remember, Uh-oh … when my mom counts like that I always get grounded.… I better stop!

Sign Language: Young Kids Know More Than They Can Say When you think about it, it’s not so easy

Little 18-month-olds take—and take—and then they pressure us for more! They have short memories and forget the caring attention and fun play you just shared two hours before. (Remember, two hours feels like six to an impatient toddler.)

Your toddler understands that the more play and attention you give him—and the more you build his confidence—the more co-operation he owes you.

No, Jared wasn’t blind to Gabriel’s faults. Gabriel was far from being an angel. He had a selfish, ruthless streak, he was too possessive for his own good, and he could be an asshole towards people he disliked. Gabriel was also infamous for being a bad loser. If the team lost a match, Gabe was impossible to be around. He didn’t know how to lose. He sulked, he pouted, and he threw tantrums like a toddler when things didn’t go his way. But underneath all of that, he had the kind of vulnerability that made Jared want to wrap him in his arms and protect him from the entire world. Among other things, Jared admitted to himself ruefully.

Your attention,” she said with a sympathetic smile. “He’s like a toddler, Finlay. He’s done playing with his toy, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have it, and he’s going to throw a tantrum until he gets his way.” She sighed as she tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “He doesn’t deserve you. He never did. Find someone else. Someone who makes you happy. Someone worthy of you and the children.

At the point of the tantrum, your child has told you she is overwhelmed and over the edge. She cannot listen or be rational

try to cajole or negotiate, as she is too upset. Once they have hit the meltdown point, the best you can do is let them have the tantrum, and never laugh or shame them for it. This level of anger is actually frightening to them, too. They are literally beyond control themselves, their brains are overwhelmed, and they count on you to keep them safe. For some children, that means you sitting close by and waiting. Other children want or need to be held (some thrash a lot, so protect yourself).

part of the tantrum is the repair that follows. When your child has settled down, make sure to come back together and let her know you are still here for her—with a hug, a loving coming together. “You were so angry. I am here and I always love you. Even when you are screaming and upset.

would never, ever say it to their face—as mentioned, we are way above the Mommy Wars. But still. We think they have it easier. Every day while we are living our lives of servitude, they go to a place, in real clothes, where they are paid to sit comfortably among adults and think entire, complete, punctuated thoughts. Often this place has free coffee round the clock and cake on their birthdays. Yes, work is work, and no, not every day is a joyfest. But here is what I did not realize when I handed in my resignation at the community college and became a professional mom: if you work outside the home, for eight or so back-to-back hours every weekday, you wipe zero butts that do not belong to you. And to be clear, butt wiping is pretty much the easiest part of stay-at-home-mom work. I would gladly wipe ten more butts per day if it did away with even just the raisin-related tantrums. If it meant I didn’t have to stand outside in every kind of weather saying, “I see! I’m watching!” while one of a succession of toddlers does absolutely nothing of interest for the tenth time in a row. If you have a full-time job outside the home, that means that for eight solid hours every day, no one asks you to go down a wet slide or starts crying

wonder, “Would they rather have weak-willed children?”): children who won’t obey, won’t listen, or have temper tantrums. Some of this behavior is typical of a young child’s development, as children explore and experiment to discover who they are and what they can do.

You cannot talk a toddler down from a tantrum any more than you can talk a tornado down from destroying lives.

He’s like a toddler, Finlay. He’s done playing with his toy, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have it, and he’s going to throw a tantrum until he gets his way.

Let’s take your toddler’s temperament “temperature.” Look over these nine traits and circle the words that best fit your child. Variety Is the Spice of Life

When speaking to your young toddler, bend down to her level and look into her eyes. Stop all other body movements, unless you are specifically using sign language or other vocabulary-related gestures. This is an effective way to capture any child’s attention; she is much more likely to hear and comprehend your words when she can see your lips moving and visually evaluate your facial expressions. Give your directions or information in short, simple phrases, and speak clearly and slowly. Sometimes even just saying a single word will help her focus on what you’re asking her to do. Finally, make a good guess as to what she is feeling or wanting. By using these techniques, you are showing her respect. She is much more likely to respond positively if she knows that you are actively trying to help her.

You just want to “make everything better.” But when your little one is upset, immediately saying “It’s okay!” can actually make things worse. That’s because repeating “It’s okay” over and over again may inadvertently give your child the message that you want her to stuff her feelings deep down inside and act happy even if she isn’t. And that is absolutely not okay.

Of course, you will often have to stop your toddler’s unacceptable actions (fighting, rude words, etc.). But when his strong feelings (anger, fear, frustration, etc.) are ignored or squelched, they don’t just disappear. They continue to simmer under the surface—sometimes for an entire lifetime.

don’t get enough help and guidance. •   Daily battles can make us feel like failures. •   Our toddlers’ actions can “push our buttons.” •   Our temperaments may clash with our children’s.

can often avoid power struggles with one simple trick: Tell your child what to do, rather than what not to do. For example, “Chairs are for sitting” rather than “Stop standing on the chair.” Or “Slow down, now!” versus “Don’t run!” Or “You usually keep your feet off the new sofa, but I guess today you forgot.” Correcting behavior with positive statements makes kids feel more respected.

You, like your child, are on a path of becoming. Your quest: to nurture your child’s potential, and while doing so, learn how to become a stronger and more compassionate human being yourself. Every day, you bravely face the possibility of tantrums and acts of defiance, obstacles that would ruffle even the most heroic among us. Yet you are never alone in these woods.

When you help your child make it through to the other side of a tantrum, you are giving him a gift for life.

things all ambassadors are taught in their training is how to listen and speak with respect.

Many adults who were punished severely as children struggle with higher levels of stress that can lead to excessive guilt, anxiety, or depression.

I love the analogy used in the book The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson—when a child is upset, he “flips his lid.” This means that the upstairs part of the brain—the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that makes rational decisions and allows for self-control—is not available to the child. Therefore, all the reasoning in the world or explanations will fall on deaf ears. We need to first help them close the lid by giving them support to calm down. We can offer them a cuddle; we don’t assume that they want one. Some children like to be cuddled to help them calm down. Some children will push us away. If they push us away, we make sure they are safe and we can offer them a cuddle when they are calm. We are saying it’s okay for them to melt down. Rather than trying to get the tantrum to stop as soon as possible, allow them to express all their feelings safely until they are calm, and show that we are there to help if they need us. And, once they are calm, we can help them make amends if needed.

Be still during some of the storms or tantrums of life. They will pass. And you will fix the damage when the atmosphere is calm.

For most parents the first is too stiff, but the second feels pretty normal. Well, that’s Toddler-ese! Amazingly, we instinctively automatically speak Toddler-ese when our kid does something to make us proud and happy! Too often, however, when she gets scared, mad, or sad, we suddenly become serious and stiff. Our voices get flat and ultracalm and we sound like emotional zombies, because we think that acting calm will calm our child. But this often backfires, because if we display no emotion when our child is really upset, she may feel misunderstood and alone just when she needs a friend.

Then, the Viking stomped his huge boot into the ground. Like a toddler who wanted apple juice but got milk, but a big fucking toddler with armor and an axe. A seven-foot tall insane scary not-baby having a tantrum.

Distinguish between your child and his behavior. Always acknowledge behavior that you want to reinforce - not the child for doing what he did. For example, rather than saying "What a good boy for dressing yourself!", say "Hey that's good dressing!