What night tantrums in toddlers could be all about
Night tantrums with toddlers are quite common and arise out of the toddlers inability to express themselves due to lack of proper language skills and their wanting to gain attention with crying. This could arise mainly because the older children are allowed to stay up later, but younger children are put to bed earlier and these children feel it is not fair. Sometimes it could the dreams that they see that causes problems as they are not able to communicate even to parents what they actually experience, with certain situations arising just out of the toddler being active, stubborn or creative.
You may as a parent is upset and may even lose your temper, but I would suggest that you need to be mature and keep calm as it would be beneficial for both you and the toddler. This attitude would teach your toddler to also follow your example. The solution lies in addressing the main problem in hand without getting worked up and losing track of it.
Some methods to handle night tantrums in toddlers that have really worked
1.Night tantrum could be due to toddlers having developed a sense of security in parents and being afraid of being left alone, so they turn clingy. But it is
for parents to work through this separation anxiety. This can be done with not rushing immediately when the child creates a tantrum and allowing him/her to soothe oneself either with a comfortable toy or making soothing sounds. Allowing your child to acknowledge his/her feelings and reassuring him that you are around and will check on him would help. Do soothe him if he is really upset, but increase your time interval of going and checking on him/her. This would set a balanced understanding in your child.
2.The night tantrums could arise out of his/her having a lot of fun at bedtime and not wanting to end the good time or could also arise out of hunger and tiredness. You as a parent can prevent night tantrums with slowly preparing him/her for bedtime by introducing activities that have a calming effect. A warm bath at bedtime helps many toddlers, with the parents explanation to children to understand their feelings that they need to recharge themselves. Setting acceptable behavior and discipline in a tactful way would help handle night tantrums.
3.The resistance offered by some toddlers to parents authority may be verbal or by action and it pays to not control or challenge your toddler for it could
only make things worse. You as a parent can offer choices to your toddler, but at the same time can set boundaries. Being cool and calm and negotiate if you can, if not just take deep breaths and leave the toddler alone. Cultivating discipline in your toddlers with giving him/her the choice of how long one wants a pleasant experience like reading bedtime stories helps toddlers not want to miss on the calm and pleasant experience.
4.Night tantrums to gain attention can be easily handled with spending quality time with toddlers on a regular basis with acknowledging his feelings. Fixing up time for the bedtime routine and teaching him/her the only behavior that will be tolerated, with not giving in to negative behavior will help discourage night tantrums and handle it. Giving time to cool down when he/she misbehaves will soon help taper off the night tantrum considerably.
Bedtime can be the best time to spend quality time with your toddler and a good set up bedtime routine with a calming effect could help you not only have toddlers that are refined and disciplined, but would have you handle night tantrums in toddlers and give you some good sleep and quality time to your partner and you