Running Notes

1 - Oh, I don't know, it's far more fun as the uncle/friend/outside observer to give the three-year old having the tantrum as much sugar as possible and then step back and watch it get more interesting ;) LOL

2 - Its really hard. We have a very headstrong little 3 year old.

We have started using a jar of marbles recently which has helped.

If she is good all day she gets 3 marbles at bed time. They go in a jar on the shelf and at the end of the week we swap then for a suitable small toy from a toy basket ( or pocket money for the 5 year old ). The exchange rate is "variable".

If she is really difficult we take the jar down and explain that we will have to take a marble out and put it back in the bank jar - it often works.

We used to use "star charts" but the marbles are very visible - especially in a smallish jar.

Good luck !

3 - Ah...notice the category of "Community" on my post. Not sure a jar of marbles or extra sugar would help those pitching fits for attention right now.

4 - You could always punch them in the face.

(NOTE: definitely not recommended for your three-year-old)

5 - My stepson was 4 and throwing a tantrum and I started mimicking his actions. If he threw himself down on the floor, then I copied his exact move. Not a proud moment for me but it definitely got his attention. Good luck!

6 - Jameson? I mean, not a lot ... maybe 1/8 of a teaspoon?

Oh wait, we aren't our parents generation and family services might pop by if you do that.

7 - oh, I saw the tag - the sugar comment applied to the 3 year old as much as the 40 year old :P

8 - I think removing the thought of a donut the next week might surely cure something

9 - Depends on the nature of the tantrum but I normally negotiate.

Method one is setting a timeline for the child. So "First .... then ....". If the first step in the time line doesn't happen then the second doesn't.

Start with easy stuff, like two games he likes so he realises the pattern. Also things like "two more goes then ...", so that there is a logical finishing point.

Method two is to give two choices. Neither of which are the choice the child wants but will pick the lesser of the two. For example I want to give him a bath. So I tell him it is bath time. Normally start to get a complaining as a response. So I say "Do you want bath time or bedtime (or haircut, depends)".

The child feels like they are in control of the choices they make.

He calls my bluff sometimes.

10 - What about giving 'him' a time out?

11 - Each of our four daughters have had two tantrums in their lifetime. The first is when they were informed that a tantrum is unacceptable behavior in the Mack family. the second is when they learned that to be true. Worked like a charm. Now, they can;t understand when they see children having fits in the store as they watch parents try to placate them with bribes or pleas.

12 - Throwing tantrums is ok.. Daddy does it to, LOL....But seriously, gotta stand firm, and give him/her a chance to "work it out", by talking, because through all the screaming, they do listen. If that fails, then up the pressure by taking things away they like, plus naughty chair etc....

13 - Are we really talking about a three year old, or are you masking the fact that we are actually discussing developers? Just checking. I have found that three year olds are much more mature.