Your Toddler and Minimizing Meltdowns

How to Guide Your Toddler Through Emotional Meltdowns

Ever wish your toddler’s meltdown could be contained? Here is a routine to follow to minimize meltdowns.

Recognize

“I SEE you are feeling some big feelings right now. (ASK) are you feeling mad that I said no to __?” (insert feelings that apply to the situation)

Connect

AWKNOWLEDGE “Gosh, I understand you are feeling really sad and angry that I said no to that. Hearing ‘no’ to something you want doesn’t feel good. I understand that.” ATTACH- pause, look in the eyes, take some deep slow breaths and nod. Be present with your child.

Contain

Maintain your boundaries and explain WHY you are saying no or why you are making a choice as the grown-up. Then offer a CHOICE between two things that you are willing to offer.

Example

Sadie, I see you are really frustrated right now. Are you feeling upset that you are having trouble opening that container? I understand that feels very frustrating for you. (pause and look, breathe, and really look at her) Would you like me to help show you how to open it or would you like to put it away for another time?

Make sure to think about what can impact your child’s behavior. Are their biological needs met? Or are they hungry, thirsty, or tired? Often when a child is overtired they cannot regulate their emotions. Consider working with a sleep consultant to make bedtime and middle of the night easier. Tiny Duck Parenting works only with toddlers and children, most families see their child falling asleep independently by night 4! Then by night 7, bedtime will be easy and enjoyable, and middle of the night waking up will no longer happen!

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About The Author

Jennie

Jennie is a certified sleep consultant with a background in Child and Adolescent Studies who specializes in teaching toddlers and children to choose to stay in their open bed, fall asleep independently, and sleep through the night. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Studies, and spending time in the classroom, she decided to follow her passion and move to New York City to become a professional theatre actress. Between shows, she worked as a nanny. One family had a toddler that couldn’t fall asleep without help, he refused to nap and would wake-up multiple times a night. Frustrated by the lack of resources for toddler sleep issues she became a certified sleep consultant. Relying on her education and experience, she then created Week to Sleep geared for toddlers in an open bed.

Jennie has helped so many families across the country make bedtime easy and enjoyable. She has been featured on Mommy Mingle, Parentville, corporate Google, and buybuybaby. Jennie’s favorite part of working with families is when a toddler runs to their parents in the morning exclaiming, “I did it, I am SO proud of me!