Toddler meltdowns can be intense experiences, both for the child and the caregiver. Moreover, meltdowns are a common part of early childhood development. These outbursts can be overwhelming for both the child and their caregivers. However, by understanding the causes and implementing effective strategies, you can navigate these situations with patience and support. In this blog post, we will explore some practical steps to take after a meltdown has happened, helping you create a calm and nurturing environment for your child.

After a meltdown, it’s important to focus on your own emotional well-being and find ways to recover. Here are some self-care strategies you can employ:

Deep breathing exercises:

Allow yourself a few minutes to practice deep breathing. Inhale positivity and exhale negativity, allowing your body and mind to relax. Deep breathing has numerous benefits. It helps lower blood pressure (von scheele et al, 2005), improves mood (Perciavalle et al, 2017), reduces stress levels, and more importantly, helps restore your nervous system to a calmer state(Jerath et al, 2015).

Gratitude walk or activity: 

If you’re feeling all the negative energy, notice that energy and shift your focus on being grateful. The idea of being grateful changes our mood, optimism, life satisfaction and increases overall wellbeing (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).

If possible, take a walk and express gratitude for the things you have in life. Focus on the positive aspects and be thankful for being alive, having a family, or any other meaningful aspects of your life. If going for a walk is not feasible, incorporate gratitude into a household chore, such as folding laundry or mopping the floor.

You get the idea. It doesn’t have to necessarily be a walk, but to give thanks and find things in your life to be thankful for.

Practice Self-compassion:

Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that parenting can be challenging. Accept that you may have had a difficult time during the meltdown. Allow yourself to experience and accept your emotions without judgment.

So it can sound something like this:

I shouted at my daughter today and it doesn’t feel good. I have had a hard day and parenting is so hard. I am experiencing sadness. I can be better the next time.

Remember that your thoughts and emotions are not facts but signals arising from the situation.

Apologize and Reconnect with Your Child Once you have taken care of yourself. It’s important to apologize to your child and work on reconnecting with them. Offering a sincere apology can help resolve any negative feelings and demonstrate to your child that you value their emotions. Here’s how you can approach this process:

Find a comfortable space:

When the emotions and situation has subsided, create a comfortable environment where you and your child can sit down and have a conversation. This allows for open communication and ensures that both of you feel heard and respected.

Describe the behaviour:

Start by describing the specific behavior that occurred during the meltdown, helping your child understand what happened. Express your own emotions honestly and let your child know how their actions affected you.

Apologise:

Offer a sincere apology for your behavior during the meltdown. Take responsibility for your actions and express regret for any harm caused. Show empathy towards your child’s feelings and reassure them of your love and commitment.

Use simple language that your child can understand. For example, I will say something like this, “I’m sorry I shouted at you when you didn’t want to bathe. I felt angry, and it scared you. Can I give you a hug? Next time, let’s try to be more patient.”

Encourage:

Encourage your child to apologize, if they are ready. Give your child the opportunity to express themselves and apologize if they feel comfortable doing so. If they’re not yet ready, model the apology and let them know that it’s okay to take time to process their emotions.

Plan for future situations:

Discuss strategies to handle similar situations in the future. Encourage patience, understanding, and effective communication between you and your child. Emphasize the importance of working together to find positive solutions.

Handling toddler meltdowns can be challenging, but by taking time to recover and reconnect  your connection with your child, you can create a supportive environment for both you and your child and navigate these situations with patience and support.

Remember that meltdowns are a normal part of development, and responding with empathy and understanding can help your child learn emotional regulation and strengthen your relationship.

You’ve got this, parents. Keep practicing and give credit to yourself for trying. The more we practice and modify, we’ll get better.

If you like this article, Like and Share so more friends can get the help they need.

Till next time.

Marilynn