Toddler Tantrum: When your child throws a tantrum for no reason!

So it finally happened. I am finally apart of the tantrum club. I have to admit that I didn’t think it would come around so quickly. But what can i say, my boy is gifted.  I have always sympathised with parents whose kids have gone into total meltdown, even though I found it extremely entertaining. It must be hard for them. However I don’t think I fully grasped how frustrating it is until it was my own kid.

Gabriel has always been a good tempered baby. As long as his tummy was full and he had his naps he was as good as gold. It was a breeze. If he ever got grumpy I knew what to do. But now my 15 month old baby has mistaken himself for a 15 year old teenager. He knows what he wants and isn’t afraid of letting me know that he is not impressed with my mummying skills.

The First Time

The first time it happen is was a day like any other day. He had his naps, had his snacks. He was a happy chappy. Around 5pm he came over and gave me sign that he wanted dinner. (We taught Gabriel sign language so he can tell us when he was hungry) It was a half an hour early but i was willing to make an exception. So I pop him in his highchair and warm up his food and get him ready for dinner. He is excited. I make sure it is not too hot and then i start feeding him. A few mouthfuls in he lets out a massive scream and nothing I do can stop him.

OH MY GOD! Whats wrong? Did I just burn my baby’s mouth? No. Was there something sharp in the food? Nope. Were the bits too big? No way. Did he want some water? None of the above.

I couldn’t find a reason

My son was hysterical and angry. He started throwing his water cup on the floor. Hit at my hands when I tried to comfort him and refused to eat anymore. I didn’t understand. He was hungry, and now he won’t eat. Why won’t he stop crying. A hour and a half later he finally stops  and then casually waddles off and starts laughing and smiling, while my stress levels have sky rocketed.  What the???? I am scared, What just happened?

I put him into bed and he happily goes to sleep like nothing happened. Did I give birth to Damien from the Omen? Puzzled and a bit weirded out, I leave it and hope it doesn’t happen again. Except it does.  Dinner time again, he is hungry but chucking a major angry fit. Then it happens. He stops and I realise what this is about. Apparently mummy isn’t shovelling the food into his mouth fast enough!!!!!!

Apparently I am just an asshole parent

It can’t be? He refused to eat! He was so worked up that he didn’t want anything. So I experiment the next few days to see if this is the case.  And sure enough, when I wait a bit between mouthfuls he goes into full meltdown. Hating on me because how dare I wait for him to chew before giving him the next spoonful.

This wasn’t the only meltdown I have been experiencing. Apparently I don’t do anything right. Won’t let him jump down the stairs, meltdown! Won’t let him run out onto the right. Total Meltdown! He eats all of this snacks and there are none left. Complete Meltdown. Changes his dirty nappy, How dare I? Don’t even mention my iPhone. Check out my post about my sons iPhone Obsession here

Keep Calm

So fellow mums and dads, I am now part of the club, I feel you. I am sorry I laughed. Tantrums are no laughing matter.

Take comfort in knowing this is only a phase. He is learning to deal with his emotions and it is necessary for his development. Keep calm, and if all else fails it is ok to leave him to cry a little if you feel you are on the edge.

Has your child ever freaked you out? Tell me your tantrum stories..