14 mo old temper tantrums

[Hill22]

I thought the terrible two's were supposed to start closer to the age of two??? My daughter is 14 months and she screams, crys, and throws an absolute fit every time we say "no", take something away from her, or prevent her from doing something that she wants to do. Is this normal at this age (I'm a first time parent)? I look forward to coming home each night and seeing her, but lately from the time I walk in the door until the time she goes to bed all she does is cry and whine. Now I find myself looking forward to her bedtime. I want to be able to enjoy what little time I have with her (only a few hours each evening). Any suggestions? This all started around the time that we switched her from formula to milk. The two may not be related at all, but I am wondering if anyone else has had similar issues?

[mominator16]

Sounds like she needs a little swat on the bottom the next time she has a tantrum... If she know you will not put up with it, she will not continue to do it. I am sure it has nothing to do with her food, she is pushing you to see how far she can get. Just remember you are the parent. All 5 of mine did the same thing and a swat a couple times on the bottom and problem solved.

[mn_flatlander_99]

my daughter does the same thing & i am also at a loss. for those who say a swat on the butt will work - it doesn't. daycare is starting to get irritated at me because she does it there all the time too. i don't know what to do!

[diaperdad]

Instead of saying know figure out what her deeper need is and address that. Here is a conversation I had with a friend of mine to help illustrate this point -

Friend: "Yesterday my son started pulling toys off of the shelf and throwing them on the floor. Every time I would pick some up to put back he would look at me, smile, and throw more on the floor. IT WAS LIKE HE WAS PLAYING WITH ME!! So I put him in time out"

Me: "Well, it sounds like he wanted to play a game with you, created his own game, got you to play, and then you put him in time out. Basically, you put him in time out for engaging you in play activities."

Friend: "what? what should I have done?"

Me: "Created another game for the two of you to play that you both would enjoy playing"

Its really simple - kids aren't monsters, or devils. They have needs that they can't communicate. They have emotions they can't identify, communicate, or regulate. Help your kids figure this stuff out, don't punish them for not being capable of dealing with things in their life.

mominator16 - How well does that work for you when you do something someone doesn't like and they "swat" you on the bottom"?

[brilynnsmommy]

You're a genius, even if you are a guy lol.