Consider an example with a kid named Charlie. Charlie adores playing at the community park, but getting him to leave often invites a loud, stressful tantrum.
• Charlie and his parent play at the park until it’s time to leave.
• Tantrum trigger: Charlie doesn’t want to leave the park.
• Parent’s response: The parent stays calm and does not mirror Charlie’s emotional outburst.
• Parent’s strategy: Patiently, the parent suggests getting an ice cream on the way home to distract Charlie.
• Result: Charlie, excited about the prospect of a treat, calms down and leaves the park peacefully.
This scenario offers a glimpse into surviving tantrums by identifying triggers, staying calm, and applying appropriate distractions.
Action |
Outcome |
Time to leave the park |
Tantrum Trigger |
Parent stays calm, doesn’t imitate tantrum |
Positive Parent Response |
Suggests ice cream as a distraction |
Peaceful Park Exit |
Each challenge parenting presents is a stepping stone to practical problem-solving.