By 14 months your child has journeyed through an exciting transformation.
However, many parents are shocked when they encounter 14 mo old Tantrums.
14 month old aggressive behavior can be shocking to witness.
Well, you aren’t the only one frustrated about your little one’s impulsive behavior.
It’s typical for kids as they age, but how you manage the tantrums is crucial. Not to mention keeping your sanity in the parenting journey.
Your baby is still very young in their developmental growth but they are still very able to express their emotions to you.
14 Mo Old Tantrums: Expression
14 mo old tantrums are your baby’s way of telling you that they are ready to express themselves so rest assure there is nothing to worry about.
At 14 months, your child may be walking or even running and developmentally they are able to see and interact with the world in a whole new way.
A tantrum is an uncontrollable outburst of frustration and anger.
This can start with whining or screaming and include feet stomping, throwing objects and even biting!
These usually don’t last too long but can last for up to 30 minutes depending on the reason behind the tantrum and the amount of vented up frustrations your Toddler is experiencing.
As your child gets older they main begin to throw longer more complicated tantrums.
This will depend on what they are trying to express and how fast their brain is processing the complex problems around it.
There has been some research to show that babies that have more brain development (smarter) tend to have more tantrums as they are able to comprehend more then they can express.
Many parents experience more 14 month old tantrums at bedtime than any other time of the day.
As your child gets more tired and stimulated throughout the day they will become more flustered and worn down by bedtime so tantrums at bedtime are very common.
14 Month Old Tantrums: Causes
1. Frustration
Many 14 month old screaming tantrums are fuelled by frustration.
It’s simply the case that your child isn’t getting what they want when they want it.
When accompanied with other factors it is a guaranteed way for explosive tears to flow.
2. Control
Most toddlers know what they want but they don’t know how to get it. A tantrum is a way to control the situation.
Without clear speech, your toddler cannot express himself clearly.
Whilst throwing a tantrum isn’t the most transparent form of expression for parents to understand what their toddler wants, it certainly tells mom or dad that ‘I Don’t Want THAT’
3. Tiredness, Fatigue & Hunger.
Just like us, toddlers are more irritable before and after a nap.
Also being too hungry can fuel a tantrum attack as a hungry baby is a HANGRY baby!
A Tantrum serves to tell you they want something now and you have to figure out what that something is.
4. Attention
This can be one of the most common reasons young children throw tantrums as at this age they constantly crave attention.
If it doesn’t come in abundance when they want it, you guess it…. Tantrum time!
14 Month Old Tantrums Whining
Have you ever found yourself in this situation?
It’s a good day, you get your toddler dressed, head out, sing songs in the car, get to the store and start walking around the shopping centre with your toddler in the shopping cart.
You look in your bag and you’ve only forgotten his favourite car toy that you said you would pack but forgot on your rush out.
Guess what happens next. Full Blown Tantrum Time! Right in the middle of the supermarket! It’s loud, it’s angry, it feels like there no stopping it.
Here’s what you should do to limit 14 month old screaming tantrums:
1. Calm Yourself
Before you can calm your toddler you need to be calm yourself.
It’s much easier said then done but if you really think about it this makes the most sense.
Your toddler learns everything from you and will mirror your behaviour accurately.
If you show calmness even in the face of massive disruptive outbursts then your child will have little to no choice but to eventually do the same.
2. Time Out
If you need to run back into the car to do it so be it. If you’re at home then it’s time to get the time out chair.
Some parents use special timers so the toddler can see how long they have left which can help for accountability.
3. Don’t Budge
If you’ve said your going to do something then do it. Don’t budge now they are kicking and screaming.
If you do you are teaching your baby that you can be weakened and will give up soon.
Next time they want something that you don’t want to give them they’ll throw another tantrum as have learnt that this is an effective way to get their own way.
4. Pick Your Battles
It’s not always worth it to battle your toddler over small defiance.
Sometimes it’s actually worth it just to ignore or recheck the behaviour another time.
Dealing with temper tantrums take patience and sometimes you have several other things to do.
If that’s the case then don’t be too hard on yourself. Just ensure that when you pick your battles you win them 9 times out of 10.
Also be consistent. If you’ve warned him twice to play with his own toys and not his younger sisters toys and then on the 3rd time of asking you give in he’ll just remember that next time.
You have to be consistent but pick your battles wisely.
Everything is a learning lesson and you need to pick the battles that you are more likely to win to set an example out of.
Here’s a quick video on 14 month old tantrums.
