Every Gold Coast parent knows the feeling: you’re enjoying a beautiful day at Burleigh Heads or navigating the bustling aisles of a local shopping centre and suddenly, the calm shatters. Your little one hits the deck, wailing, arms flailing, for a reason that seems completely illogical to an adult. Welcome to the “Terrible Twos,” a rite of passage that’s less about being terrible and more about a child’s intense emotional development.
Their Words and Bodies Can’t Keep Up
The truth is, this stage is a crucial period of growth. Toddlers are caught in a storm of burgeoning independence, big feelings and limited communication skills. They want to do everything themselves, but their bodies and words just can’t keep up. The frustration they feel when they can’t put on their own shoes or get their point across is immense and a tantrum is their only way of expressing it. It’s their brain’s way of short-circuiting and it’s a sign of a healthy, assertive little person trying to figure out their place in the world.
Your Steady Presence
So, how can you navigate these emotional maelstroms with a bit of Gold Coast grit and grace? Positive parenting strategies are the key. Firstly, your calm is your superpower. When a storm of emotion hits, try to stay grounded. Your steady presence offers a safe harbour for their overwhelmed nervous system. Acknowledge their feelings without giving in to the demands. You can say, “I see you’re very angry right now,” which validates their emotion while holding a firm boundary.
Give Them Control
Offering choices is another powerful tool. Giving them control over small things—”Do you want to wear the blue shirt or the green shirt?”—can prevent a power struggle from ever starting.2 And sometimes, distraction is your best mate. A sudden, silly song or a new activity can often break the cycle of a tantrum before it gains momentum.
An Opportunity for Connecting
Finally, remember that after the storm, there’s a chance for connection. Once the tantrum subsides, offer a big hug and a cuddle. This shows your child that your love is unconditional and that you’re their safe space, even when they’re at their most challenging. By understanding the “why” behind the tantrums, Gold Coast mums and dads can move from feeling helpless to feeling empowered, turning these challenging moments into opportunities for growth, learning and a stronger parent-child bond.