It is part of a child’s lifetime to have tantrums. Tantrums are a normal stage of toddler development. During this phase, the child cries uncontrollable, screams and yells, may throw things or even vomit. Their aim is to get attention. He or she may also try to hit the parents or caregivers if they do not get what they want Extreme tantrums, bad behavior and intense emotions of the child can put parents at their ends, drain their energy and exhaust them.

It is more common in children who are very sensitive and may occur due to the frustration of not being able to express a feeling or perform something beyond their skills and abilities for the age. As motor skills of the child develop faster than his language skills, he may be just using them to let you know of his feelings.

Here are some tips to parent with toddlers who have tantrums:

* Find out what triggers the tantrums. Boredom, frustration for not being able to do something, hunger and too many children around may be some of the triggers. Stay alert when these triggers are there and offer him your help and guidance before being asked, so that the baby does not erupt. When he is trying to do something, try to show him how to do it as a facilitator rather than doing it for him or redirect him to easier activities.

* Watch out for pre-tantrum symptoms such as facial expressions and body language and come to help immediately before tantrums get started.
* Tantrums are of two types - frustration tantrums and manipulative tantrums.
* Frustration tantrums are emotional outbursts of the child, where he needs your empathy, support, help and comfort. It happens during the stage when child tries to do everything ‘himself’. Helping your child in these times will be remembered by the child as a part of his personality and he will fell secure and loved for.
* Manipulative tantrums are tricky as the child tries to get what he wants by hook or crook. Do not indulge him when he throws tantrums. Stand a few feet away from him and make it clear that you will help him, only when he calms down and ask appropriately, in a better way. You need to make the child learn that bad or undesirable behaviors will not get things done for him.
* When a child wants something, which is dangerous, offer him a substitute and explain the reasons, such as a spoon can replace the knife for playing as knife is sharp and may cut child’s hands.
* As the child learns how to express his feelings and use language, tantrums diminish. Tell the child to use alternative ways of expressing his feelings and use good voice and words to make requests, if he wants to get them fulfilled.
* If a child loses control over his temper, try not to do the same thing. Never mind what he or she is doing.If you have low anger tolerance, walk away from the scene, take deep breaths, gather your thoughts and react calmly. Remember, it is just a passing phase and normal for his age and will probably disappear by the time the child is 18 months to 2 year old.
* If child vomits or deliberately holds his breath until he passes out, intervene using ‘holding therapy’. Soothe and reassure the child in your nicest voice and hold him in a relaxed and comforting way. He must feel that if he has lost control, you are there to help and calm him. This can be very healthy for his psychological development.

You are not alone with this kind of toddler tantrums. Every child has his/her own way of making tantrums. You as parent have to take great child care responsibility to deal with your child’s moods and tantrums.