Dealing With Tantrums
Of all the responsibilities and situations a babysitter will ever have to deal with, one that will test her resources to the maximum is the difficult task of settling a temper tantrum. Temper tantrums are a noisy, awful spectacle put on by small children to try and get their way. They often feature hollering, crying, pouting, kicking and maybe hitting as well. The child is angry and frustrated that you won't allow them to do something they want to do.
What Can You Do?
Take a breath: Breathe out. Let your body relax as you exhale.
Be calm: Whatever you do don't help them throw their fit by throwing your own! Don't yell and resist the urge to punish them! When you speak use a soft tone of voice, speak clearly but at a level they'll have to quiet down to hear (They'll be listening don't worry. They're waiting for you to give in after all.).
Explain: If it's something as simple as them waiting until after dinner for a sweet tell them this. Explain why they'll have to wait and talk them into doing so by reminding them that if they can wait they'll get the treat they're after. If what they want is time sensitive (for example let's say they want their mother) tell them the time they can have or do what they want and show them on the clock where the big hand will need to be for them to be able to have it.
Distract: Bring out a toy or game they like and ask if they want to play. If they don't respond start playing with it yourself, this will usually bring them over to watch even if they don't ask to play. You could also just go about doing something else, start making dinner, do some housework or pick up a book you might have brought along. If they see you're not paying attention to them they'll get bored and eventually give up the tantrum.
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