The tantrum survival guide : tune in to your toddler's mind (and your own) to calm the craziness and make family fun again
(Book)

"You haven't seen a tantrum until you've seen my toddler's tantrums": when should you worry? -- "Really? This is what you're going to melt down over?": understanding causes and triggers -- "What's going on in that curious little mind?": being realistic about the limitations of the developing brain -- "Why can't I handle this?": parental expectations, baggage, and emotions -- "Maybe if things were just a bit less crazy on the home front": family dynamics and the foundation for reducing tantrums -- "Of course you'll always be my sweet little baby (except possibly when you pee in the bath on purpose)": preserving the authentic connection with your toddler -- "Who's making the rules here?": using reasonable structures and routines to help your toddler feel secure -- "OK. But. Now. What. Exactly. Should. I. Do?": practical strategies for preventing and deescalating tantrums -- "Am I making things worse?": concrete ways to avoid knee-jerk responses and other "anti-tools" that just don't work -- "Please just go to sleep, already!": how to reduce tantrums at tough times of day, from wake-up to bedtime -- "How many times can we order pizza for dinner?" (a.k.a. Another aborted trip to the supermarket)": how to reduce tantrums in tricky settings, from the big-box store to the playground and beyond -- "A tantrum is quite possibly the last thing I need right now": how to reduce tantrums under difficult circumstances, from travel to moving to divorce resources.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"If you are the parent of a toddler or preschooler, chances are you know a thing or two about tantrums. While those epic meltdowns can certainly be part of 'normal' toddler behavior, they are still maddening, stressful, and exhausting--for everyone involved. What can you do to keep your cool and help your child calm down? Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, child psychologist and mother of two, has a unique understanding of both the science behind tantrums and what works in the heat of the moment to nip blowups in the bud. With her customizable plan, you'll learn: why your toddler's developing brain is hardwired for 'big emotions'; what you may be doing (unintentionally) to encourage outbursts; ways to use structure and routines to help your child feel secure; how to reduce tantrums at tough times of day, from wake-up to bedtime; strategies for managing tantrums under difficult circumstances, from travel to moving to divorce; ways to deepen your parent-child connection--starting right now"--,Provided by publisher.

"Most parents of toddlers and preschoolers know a thing or two about tantrums--those epic meltdowns that seem to come out of nowhere. Even though tantrums can be part of 'normal' toddler behavior, they are maddening, stressful, and exhausting. What can parents do to help everyone step back and calm down? With candor and wit, Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, psychologist and mom of two, explains the science behind why tantrums occur and what parents might unintentionally be doing to encourage them. She offers a customizable plan for nipping blowups in the bud while fostering healthy development and deeper parent-child connections. Imagine family life with equal measures of love and limits--and less drama"--,Provided by publisher.