Moody Toddlers? No Problem! Here’s How to Take Care of Them

Toddlers can be unpredictable. They often act and react in a manner which we can scarcely comprehend. However, their moodiness is understandable. They have a mammoth task of interpreting and comprehending a vast, unknown and overwhelming world that they have been put in the centre of. The result is confusion, which is reflected in their  cranky behaviour.

Having a moody toddler doesn’t make you bad parent; recognising that there is more going on with your child than is visible makes you a more careful one. Mood swings are normal during developmental stages. During early childhood, kids don’t have the necessary vocabulary to enunciate what they are feeling. Hence, mood swings. Some children may appear to be more flexible and absorbing, others irate and intense. It is while dealing with the latter lot that the following tips may come handy:

• Remember – your own responses matter. Be calm and composed. Try not to respond to moodiness with moodiness. Remember, your child is always absorbing and learning from you. Your irate responses will validate their irate responses.
• Allow space for outbursts. Try putting together a vocabulary to help your child with what they are undergoing. Try supplying words and appropriate emotional responses where your little one, owing to her limited vocabulary, is failing.
• Do not invalidate what your child is feeling. Do not dismiss emotional outbursts. These reactions have been triggered by some action. Open your minds and think from the perspective of the world your child inhabits. Be more understanding.
• Distract your toddler by keeping her mind engaged. Hands on activities work wonders to exercise the brain as well.
• Learn more about your child. Anticipate situations that may act as a trigger, and gently remove them from the path of your child.
• Focus on happiness. Work on creating a safe, hygienic and happy space for your child to exist in, away from potential conflicts. Nothing in the world is as powerful as careful nurturing, when it comes to giving your toddler a wonderful tomorrow.

Moody behaviour is a signals. Moods are doorways into the hearts and minds of our children. Let’s be gentle and empathetic while dealing with our kids, even when we feel they are giving us a hard time!