One of the harder aspects of parenting is knowing what to do when your child cries. There are so many reasons your toddler might be feeling emotional, it’s difficult to know how to make the best approach.
Whether your toddler is in the midst of an angry crying fit or is shedding tears of frustration and sorrow, there are some things you can do to help get you both through the situation.
Stay Calm
As difficult as it may be when your child is throwing a tantrum, you must do your absolute best to remain calm. If they are raising their voice, lower yours and speak slowly. When the parent starts to lose their cool, the child will pick up on it immediately. They will either reciprocate your expressions of frustration or start to feel even more flustered. Remember that even if they are acting angrily, they are still looking to you for help and guidance. Set a good example by not engaging them in further conflict.
Offer Something of Comfort
If anger isn’t the root of the issue, one of the best ways to help your crying toddler is to console them. Offering a comfort toy can be an immense help in difficult situations. If they have a particular plush toy or a security blanket, keep it on hand for such circumstances. Comfort toys can be anything that gives them a welcome distraction or provides that feeling of safety. Even if their crying is the result of a tantrum, sometimes a comfort toy can be used to create a diversion. Just be careful about when you choose to offer it to them so they don’t view it more as a reward for bad behavior.
Listen to Their Feelings
You can also try a more mature approach to conflict resolution. If you can engage in a conversation with your toddler, definitely try. Speak to them calmly and with respect to try understanding why they might be feeling the way they do. Sometimes children are just like adults, they need to talk it out. Many times, if you are able to get them to a point where they can use their words to express their emotions, it will quell the situation fast and may even lessen the likelihood of another episode.
Avoid Triggers
No matter if your toddler is a habitual crier or if this is seemingly out of the blue, it’s important to analyze how it even can to be. Think of any potential triggers that may have led up to your child getting upset. Did they miss a nap? Are they hungry or thirsty? Did you have to refuse something they wanted? Some of these are easy fixes. A snack and some good sleep can solve a lot of problems with young children, but if there are other behavioral triggers, it may be a good idea to incorporate different parenting methods to find a solution.
It’s tough to balance your own feelings when your toddler is upset, but it’s one of the most important things you can do. Keep a level head and remember to try these tips the next time your little one is crying.
