5 Reasons Why Your Toddler’s Tantrum Maybe A Good Sign

The tantrums thrown by a toddler are one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. A new parent might feel good and refreshed from all day’s work if his or her toddler smiles or is at ease but this feeling can turn to gloom as soon as the toddler starts to cry or scream. But, toddler tantrums are an important part of his or her emotional health and well-being. Listed below are 5 reasons why your toddler’s tantrum maybe a good sign:

1. 1. Stress Release – The stress hormone ‘cortisol’ is released when we cry. Tears lower the blood pressure and improve the emotional well-being of a child. You may have noticed that your toddler at times is angry, frustrated or whining but when the storm has passed, his or her mood again changes back to normal.
   2. Better Sleep – A toddler throwing tantrums can help him or her get better sleep at the end of the day or else, these pent-up emotions bubble up when his or her brain is at rest. Just like adults, children wake up because they are probably trying to process something that is happening in their lives. Allowing your child to throw a tantrum improves his or her mental state as well as sleep at night.
   3. Sense of Safety – Tantrums are a big compliment, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. In most cases we feel that children are throwing tantrums to grab attention but in reality, they are just expecting empathy from you. They might be upset about petty things like a broken cookie or a lost toy. At that point, love and connection is all that he or she needs. 
   4. Retrieve the Innocence – The crying habit in a child lessens as and when he or she grows older. This is because he or she is learning to fit-in to the society’s rules and mannerisms. When adults are angry or stressed, we become mad at children because possibly, we need a good cry too. It is difficult for adults to express their emotions at all places, so we should let the child have the mood-enhancing tantrum if he or she is throwing one.
   5. Healing for the Parent – When we are present for our child’s tantrum, it kicks up big feelings in us. Our child’s tantrum can trigger memories of how we were treated, which we may not even be conscious of. Parenting can be a healing path for our own emotional challenges when we get support and a chance to be listened.

After emotional moments with your child, take time to practise self-care, talk to a friend, have a good laugh, and maybe have a cry yourself. Staying calm takes practice, but when we manage it, we are literally rewiring our brains to become calmer, more peaceful parents.