Tantrums - how old was yours when they started?

moxee24 wrote: My DS is almost 16 months old and has started to throw tantrums if I tell him no or tell him not to do something he wants to do....throws himself on the floor and starts to cry or throws things (he can get really mad). Sometimes it is hard to keep a straight face and not laugh (he can be really cute sometimes). I don't back down and let him do it just because he starts to do that. If i don't react to it other then to tell him to stop throwing a tantrum he then decides that he wants to be held and cuddled for a few minutes. Then he goes right back to trying to do whatever he was doing in the first place. Any ideas on how to stop them before they get really bad? Is it to early to start time outs? Do they really understand the meaning at this age?

moped replied: I have been taught that until 2 ish they cannot understand the abstract thinking of time outs, but they do get the idea with you puposefully ignore the tantrums......and just continue on with your business, they will be less often because you aren't giving them a reaction (which is what they are looking for)........hope this helps.

TeagansMom609 replied: Teagan started hers at 16 months as well. I just let her throw herself down and freak out. I cant help but laugh either. Sometimes its just too funny to hold back. I never give in and give her what she wants. The last thing that I need is a spoiled bratty kid who whines and gets their way.

mckayleesmom replied: When Mckaylee started doing that....alot of the reason was because her molars were coming in and they made her really moody. I started giving her the hilands teething tabs again and she wasn't so bad. When she was uncontrollable...I would put her in her crib where she was safe from hurting herself, walk out and shut the door until she stopped.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: That's the age that Ethan started. You just have to ignore it. I know it is hard to do (like in the doctor's office yesterday ) You can put them somewhere for a minute or two. It won't hurt them. Soon enough they get the idea. My ped told me yesterday to set up a play pen or a blocked in area and put him in it for a minute (or until he is calm and settled). He said this b/c when Ethan throws tantrums he falls and hits his head or bites and hits. He needs to know that isn't appropriate. The play pen will keep him from hurting himself or his sister.

ETA: He said not to use the crib b/c he would associate it with punishment and wouldn't want to go to bed at night. I really dont' need that. He is normally really good about going to bed. (yeah...I have pictures to prove it, too. )

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Well Wil just started this at 12 months. He throws himself down and rolls over to put his face on the floor and cries. I found him in the corner yesterday pouting. I'm glad you brought this up, because I'm not sure what to do either. I've heard ignoring it works, but I'm only afraid that I'm ignoring something that's really hurting him like his teeth coming in. It's sorta a tough call. So I just try and listen to his type of cry...whether it's cranky "my teeth hurt" cry or "I'm just frustrated because I can't get my way" cry. And step in when needed.

JAYMESMOM replied: Mine was 10 months. She would throw herself on the floor or flop out of my arms and scream and kick. I would just sit there till she was done. I would make sure i was out of range but now she is smarter and follows me by turning on the floor to try and kick me. Those times she goes in her crib or her room.

Hang in there - dont give in and they will realize they dont get what they want. Jayme now knows once she stops I will cuddle and love her so she gets over it fast.

luvbug00 replied: At 4 for Mya. She was Ok until that year and all heck broke loose

ions_momma replied: Ion was about 15 months old when he started. He would get mad when he didnt get what he wanted and would throw himself on the floor and scream and cry for about 5 minutes at the most, then he would realize that he wasnt going to get it and he would finally stop. We could usually tell the difference between his cries for when he was in pain (teething) and when he was mad because he would scream when he was mad and just cry when he was in pain.

CantWait replied: Anthony started around 16 months, (he's 25 months now), and they still haven't stopped.

Whitney&Candace'sMommy replied: Whitney was about 12 months, Candace was about 10 months...
Whitney was okay, she didn't majorly pshyc out, but watch out for Candace..if she chucks a tantrum it's like she turns into the Hulk...I just ignore her, I used to put her in her crib but she somehow managed to tip it over one time, so I never put her in their anymore...

MM'sMama replied: Brice was about 16 or 17 months and he stoped doing it so much around 2 thank god. Good luck honey I know how it can make you want to pull your hair out hang in there it will end.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Logan started about 10 months. One time I left him in the living room and went to get a drink of water. Then I heard this thumping, crying, scream from the living room. I peeked around the corner and saw Logan face down on the floor, screaming and banging his head on the floor. Nice that I didn't drink for 9 months so he could have all his brain cells, and now he is destroying them. Little booger. I have learned to just ignore him. Unless he is doing something that could hurt him.

Mommy2BAK replied: Wow, I am rally glad you made this post. My mom and I were just discussing this today. Blakely just started throwing fits. I usually try to shift her attention if she has something I need to take away from her, but sometimes I have to just grab things from her (like today it was pencils she found in my sister's room) and she will jerk her hand so I can't get it then when I do she will SCREAM incredibily loud and throw herself onto the floor and lay n her stomach and continue screaming. I didn't think this started until the age of 2 or so, I guess I am in for a treat with this child