MFP 263: A Wise Parent’s Approach to Tantrums

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“The idea that the family is a democracy and that children and parents have the same responsibility within the home completely ignores the developmental needs of the child ” - Mike and Alicia

A child’s temper tantrums are frustrating to parents, but we should recognize that they are often a result of a child’s deficit in communication, understanding, and emotional control. Children simply have immature responses to situations of conflict. Knowing this may help, but parents also need strategies to get through these tricky, volatile, and potentially embarrassing situations. In this podcast, we get practical and give parents the Four D’s of temper tantrums. Determine, diffuse, distract, and - when all else fails - Done. In a world that says parents and children are equal, parents have no rights, and honor is a thing of the past, we would like to push back and challenge parents to instead embrace the sacred calling to form their children with love and wisdom. Listen in and start a conversation with us and your spouse.

Key Takeaways:

• Determine

• Diffuse

• Distract

• Done

Couple Discussion:

• When do our children have meltdowns? Why?

• What are some strategies to proactively avoid tantrums?

• How can we be more effective in responding to our children's tantrums?