Parents: Here’s How You Can Hold Your Kid’s Tantrums This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a perfect time to enjoy some warm cookies and deal with your little one’s public meltdowns over a candy. So, if you too found yourself dealing with your kid’s tantrums in a crowded mall, just in case, it's time to take a deep breath.

The truth— tantrums are an unescapable aspect of the parenting journey. However, the good thing is you can still deal with these unexpected kids’ tantrums with just some patience and preparation.

Read below this article to explore some of the top tips on how you can hold your kid’s tantrums this holiday season.

The first question that arises is—why do kids actually throw tantrums, especially during holidays? The answer is here—HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). The holiday season, amidst the chaos of parties and outings, is a reason enough that can disrupt everything from nap schedules to meal routines.  The key is to figure out what actually triggers your child’s meltdowns.  So, if the answer is hunger, next time, keep a snack box handy in your bag just in case your little one gets cranky without a snack every two hours.

As soon as you notice some tantrum brewing, it's time to use the power of distractions and whip out their frustration. A silly song or maybe letting them hold your phone for a short video can actually change the game. This strategy has been evergreen since distractions shift their focus from what’s upsetting them to something fun. Even a ‘look at that squirrel’ can do the magic.

No matter how many efforts you put in, some tantrums still need to run their course. This is when having a plan can actually save your peace. And removing your child from an overstimulating environment can actually help them calm down faster. So whether it's stepping outside for a walk for some fresh air or getting back to your room for some peace, sometimes a change in view helps a lot.

If you think tantrums always have to be bad, it's not the case. Instead, you can use it as an opportunity to teach emotional control to your little ones. You can actually use this moment to ask about what happened and how they can express their feelings differently next time. The fact is kids need guidance to understand their emotions.

Sometimes, all you need is a little humor to take hold of the situation. So the next time your child refuses to leave the toy aisle, simply turn it into a game and challenge them to march like toy soldiers to the checkout line. And in case they are upset, you can ask them to pretend like Santa delivering gifts. 

Handling holiday tantrums is real. But they are more about how you handle the chaos with grace. And it has nothing to do with your parenting style. In fact, parenting is just a small part of the bigger picture. This holiday season, unlock your peace with these helpful tips to deal with your kid’s tantrums. Also read our article on some genius hacks to stop toddler tantrums.