It’s 2pm and you have been running all day with your child in tow. You both took a trip to the bank, the hair salon and now the grocery store in next on the agenda. As you enter the product aisle your child asks for a banana. You have to turn her down because you did not purchase it. You then realize in all your running around neither of you had eaten since midmorning. Rushing through the aisles your child asks for a bag of crackers. Again, you decline but now you are met with a very unhappy child who begins to fuss, cry and whine. Frustrated you tell your child to keep calm but the attempt is futile.
That tantrum is precipitated by boredom, hunger and fatigue. I know I have been tempted to throw a tantrum during one of those long Best Buy visits before dinner with my husband. I feel the pain of that child in that scenario. Your child simply lacks the coping skills to deal with poor circumstances. Your child also does not realize the spectacle she is making of herself. Children are egocentric and do not consider how they appear to others when they respond with such a fuss. The thought that they are being disrespectful and inconsiderate does not enter their mind. However, innocence and an understanding as to why a tantrum occurs is not a pass.
Your child needs to be disciplined for a tantrum no matter how much you can understand the cause. The discipline need not be harsh yet the child must realize that acting out is not the answer. The best method for dealing this type of outburst is to cut it off at the pass. Prepare for long days running errands by brining a snack pack and coloring book or books to read. If you find yourself out longer than expected and you are unprepared then talk to your child and let her know that you understand she is tired and hungry and you would be so happy if she could just hang on a little longer. Let her know that soon she will be able to eat. Often talking and empathizing with our preschooler will be enough to alleviate the pressure that causes a tantrum.