Finding temper tantrum triggers

Children usually start having tantrums when they have about a 100-200 word vocabulary. The big problem is having some words, but not enough words yet. The result can be a tantrum. A child asks for food and is given a PB&J when he or she wanted PB & bananas.

Frustration, hunger, and exhaustion are the typical tantrum triggers. That’s understandable. You get irritable when you’re tired, hungry, or frustrated. Only you’ve learned (we hope) how to control your temper and how to solve the problem.

There are other causes for tantrums in children. One way to determine these causes is to create a trigger list for times when it isn’t just frustration. What was the child doing? What time of day was it? What day of the week? What had the child just eaten? Who was the child with? Where was the child? It may be that the carpet in Aunt Grace and Uncle George’s home upsets the child’s system (I’m sure it’s not Aunt Grace and Uncle George), or if he’s late getting to nap time.

Allergens, both inhalants (nail polish and remover, mold, pollen, perfume, cigarette smoke, air freshener, dust, etc.) and ingested items (dairy, wheat, food coloring, nuts, etc.) can cause allergies and that can disrupt sleeping patterns and that can cause short tempers. Sensitive children may have a problem with a seam in a sock, a tag on the back neck of a shirt or blouse, or the wool in mittens. Doctors tend to test for inhalants, but don’t always think to test for food allergens. You can do the next best thing by keeping a list of everything your child eats and see if a tantrum follows specific items.

Once you have a list of tantrum triggers you can help prevent them and life is a lot easier for you, your child, and the people around you.

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