Your Toddler or Preschooler’s Tantrum Is Actually a Good Thing

Toddler tantrums can be very scary and stressful. But in this article, we’ll talk about why your toddler or preschooler’s tantrum is actually a good thing.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, temper tantrums are essential for your child’s mental and physical development.

When a toddler throws a fit, managing their emotions can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenthood. When our children are happy and content, we feel like we’re doing a good job as parents, but when they’re kicking and screaming on the floor, we can feel helpless and overwhelmed.

However, toddler tantrums are a crucial aspect of our child’s emotional health and well-being, and we can learn to calm ourselves down in the face of them. 

A tantrum is actually a wonderful thing for your child, and here are 10 of the best reasons why.

1. It’s better to be out than to be stuck.

The stress hormone cortisol is found in tears. Stress is physically released from our bodies when we cry. When accompanied by a loved one, tears have also been shown to reduce blood pressure and increase emotional well-being. 

Nothing seems to be right when your kid is about to have a meltdown. Either she’s in a huff, or she’s moaning. You may have also noticed that she is in a better mood when the storm has passed. 

If we allow our children to have a tantrum without trying to stop it, they will be better able to express their emotions.

2. Tears may aid your child’s ability to learn.

Children learn as quickly as they breathe. When a child is unable to focus or pay attention, it is frequently a sign of an underlying emotional problem. According to a study, youngster development is best accomplished when a child is in a state of well-being and comfort.

3. Your child’s sleep may improve.

We, parents, frequently think the best way to avoid tantrums and upsets is to avoid them, resulting in sleep problems. After that, when the child’s brain is at rest, the pent-up emotions come to the surface.

It’s not uncommon for youngsters to be awakened by their own feelings of stress and anxiety, just like adults. Your child’s emotional health and ability to sleep better at night will benefit if you let them finish their tantrum.

4. It’s a good thing you answered “no.”

A tantrum may be the outcome of you saying “no” to your child. That’s great news! Your youngster will know what is and isn’t acceptable behavior when you tell them “no.” 

The emotional consequences of saying “no” can be difficult to handle, but we can maintain our boundaries while still expressing our love, understanding, and compassion. No means you’re not afraid of the messy, emotional side that comes with raising children.

5. Your youngster is confident enough to open out to you about his feelings.

It may not always feel like it, but tantrums are actually a great compliment, even if it doesn’t always seem that way! Most of the time, children’s tantrums aren’t an attempt to gain our favor or get their way. 

In many cases, your child’s tantrum represents how he is feeling about the no. You can’t change his mind, no matter what it takes.

He doesn’t really care about the broken cookie or the wrong color socks; he just wants love and connection.

6. Tantrums are a great way to connect.

Watch and wait, even if it seems impossible at the time. She may not show it, but your child enjoys you being there. Rather than attempting to stop or ‘correct’ her feelings, allow her to go through them without interference. 

Don’t go on and on, but do provide a few comforting words here and there. Give a hug. Your youngster will feel closer to you due to your unconditional acceptance.

7. Tantrums are beneficial to your child’s long-term behavior.

Emotional outbursts from children can manifest in a variety of ways, including violence, difficulty sharing, or a refusal to cooperate with routine activities like getting dressed or brushing teeth. 

Your youngster may be showing these symptoms if they are dealing with their emotions. When your child has a temper tantrum, he can let out the emotions that are getting in the way of his ability to be his most naturally cooperative self, one of the reason why temper tantrums are actually a good thing.

8. There is a lower probability of a public tantrum if the tantrum occurs at home.

When children have the opportunity to express their feelings properly, they typically prefer to do so at home, where they know parents will be more receptive to their cries. 

The more pressure we put on our children to “keep it together” at home and in public, the more stress they feel inside.  Listening to our kids’ bottled-up emotions at home can help them avoid lugging them about on every outing.

9. This is something that most people have lost the ability to accomplish. Your youngster is doing it.

As he grows older, he’ll have less of a crying fit. His maturation and ability to control his emotions are part of the reason.  To some extent, it has to do with adjusting to a culture that isn’t particularly receptive to expressing one’s true feelings. 

Adults often need to weep when they become agitated, upset, or otherwise “lost it” with their children. To truly let go of our sentiments, and this is especially true for guys. Make the most of the tantrum while your child’s emotions are still flowing freely.

10. Tantrums are good for you, too; they’re therapeutic.

A powerful emotional response occurs when we are physically there during our child’s temper tantrum. There is a possibility that our parents did not listen to our outbursts when we were children with empathy. 

It’s possible that our child’s distress can bring back memories of how we were treated, even if we aren’t aware of it. When we are given the opportunity and the support to speak up and be heard as parents, we can use parenting to mend our own emotional wounds.

Do something for yourself when your child has a meltdown. Talk to a friend, laugh a lot, and maybe even weep a little. Rewiring our brains to become calmer and more serene parents takes practice, but it’s well worth the effort.

These are just some of the pretty good reasons that your toddler or preschooler’s tantrum is actually a good thing.

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