coping with cloudy skies
We have been struggling with temper tantrums around here lately.
When my spouse and I turned to the Internets for advice, we came up with some wildly different, even contradictory advice:
1. We need to institute a "systematic behavior management plan" that includes time-outs. The time out should not start until he is seated and quiet.
If I could get him to be seated and quiet, I wouldn't need a time out.
2. We need to investigate his diet and exposure to allergens. Also, hugs are more effective than time outs:
"Until you find one that works, however, hold your son gently when he falls apart and talk to him softly in a singsong."When my son is having a tantrum, I can't really get my arms around him and the screaming tends to drown out my gentle crooning.
3. Call the cops and have the kid arrested.
This is what one Florida school did:
"To subdue the unruly kindergartner, school officials phoned Avon Park's police department ("committed to enhancing the 'Quality of Life' of the community"). When the cops arrived, young Desre'e attempted to resist arrest by crawling under a table. But Avon Park's finest pulled her out, cuffed her, put her in a police cruiser, drove her to the county jail, and charged this 50-pound menace with a felony and two misdemeanors."
I think I'll call the doctor, make sure he never gets too hungry, talk to his teachers (they assure me that the tantrums are not occurring at school or day care), reinforce good behaviour and keep hoping that it's just a phase...
Thoughts?
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