My 4 year old is quite a spirited young lady and is also quite prone to extreme temper tantrums. I’m not 100% sure the two are connected, but my parenting instincts feel that they are.  If you are concerned whether 4 year old tantrums are normal, the answer is definitely yes.  While children are still learning to manage their emotions, a tantrum is completely normal behaviour.

Her two year old sister isn’t far behind her either, so the title of this post could easily read ‘how to cope with 2 year old tantrums’, but I think 4 year old tantrums are in s slightly different league.  My son was always quite a laid back child, so having two feisty little girls has been quite a shock to the parenting system I can tell you.

4 Year Old Tantrums

We’ve been dealing with this behaviour for a while now, and I’ve developed a strategy for coping with tantrums that I thought you’d find helpful. When a 4 year old has tantrums, it all seems to go up a few gears.  Just on a physical level your child is bigger, and has more control of their body.  My daughter will hit out when the tantrum is at it’s worst.  When she has calmed down though, she doesn’t seem to recall doing it.  The tantrum has definitely run away with her.

She also uses her voice for optimum impact and will scream so loud that I’m sure wild animals in the forest can here her.

The other thing that my daughter seems to have worked on in the 4 years of her life is the art of manipulation.  Now, I’m always conscious that the word manipulation has very negative connotations, but when it comes to children it means something very different.  They use manipulation as a survival tactic, and not something to cause harm or detriment to another person.  It is very much about protecting themselves.  I’ve found that responding to manipulation in young children with love and reassurance is the best way forward.

4-year-old-with-christmas-jumper

The frustrating thing, or perhaps the reassuring thing is that she only saves these tantrums for at home.  She wouldn’t dream of behaving like this way at school.  In fact, the rules at school are very important to her, and she makes a point of sticking to them so she can earn stickers for good behaviour.  For a parent, this is a really key message.  How your children behaves outside of the home is the real gauge of your child’s behaviour and whether there is anything you should be concerned about.

Be OK With Your Parenting Style

I will be the first to admit that I am not the most consistent parent in the world, and instead of trying to mould myself into something I’m not, I find other ways of parenting my child that I am happy with.  The first thing you might think is ‘why don’t you use a sticker chart then?’, well the answer is I’m an inconsistent parent and I rarely keep up with it.  If I have something else to do on the parenting list, I will become more stressed and start feeling like a failed parent, which isn’t a good place to be.

We do offer rewards for good behaviour, but they tend to be as we go along as opposed to earning rewards.  I can see lots of merit in a sticker system, but I know it’s not for me to be honest and I’m OK with that.

Whatever your parenting style is, learn to be OK with it.  Use your own instincts and trust what you know about your child to get through what ever phase you are experiencing.  There is lots of advice out there on the internet and in books about different parenting techniques but I think it can soon become over whelming. You are better off trying to figure out your own way forward as it is about your relationship with your child at the end of the day.

how-to-cope-with-4-year-old-tantrums

This Phase Won’t Last Forever

When my child is having her worst tantrum, with screams, limbs flying everywhere and seems completely inconsolable I remind myself that this won’t last forever.  As a Mum to an 18 year old, I can assure every parent out there that your child won’t be kicking off like this when they leave home for university or work.  Getting yourself  in that frame of mind can help create enough emotional distance from the situation to stay calm and deal with it to the best of your ability.

Try And Be A Good Example

One thing I try and aim for is behaving in a way that I want my children to behave.  Setting a good example is the best form of parenting.  When a child is having a tantrum, and they are pushing all your buttons this can be the biggest challenge.  If you would like your child to behave calmly and avoid using a tantrum as a tactic to get what they would like, then helping them build other behaviour strategies is going to be the answer.

I will try and get to the bottom of what is causing my daughter such distress and talk to her about other ways she might want to deal with the situation.  I try and remain calm with her, so that she sees this is a better way forward in the long run.  There are times when this doesn’t happen, but when it doesn’t go quite so well I lay off the parenting guilt too, as it’s really not that helpful.

Parenting Is A Long Game

There is no magic cure for 4 year old tantrums or any tantrums for that matter.  Children will develop out of them as they grow in maturity and can process their emotions better.  Time and patience are going to be your friend throughout your parenting journey.  However you choose to approach the issue of childhood tantrums, use a way that feels right to you and that you can apply consistently and eventually they will become less frequent and less severe.

What Triggers A Child Tantrums

If tantrums are becoming a big issue, then look for what might be setting them off.  We have identified a lot of triggers that will probably effect all children to some degree or another.  Food is a big factor for us.  If they do eat sweets or chocolate and aren’t able to burn of the extra energy they have just consumed, then we often get some fall out.  What we tend to do is give them treats like this just before they are going to the park or are going to do something physical.  This definitely seems to avert a tantrum disaster.

Tiredness can also be a factor, so we use quiet time throughout the day so they have chance to recharge their batteries and stick to a regular bedtime routine.

Boredom can also play a part in tantrums.  We find that if the children haven’t got an activity to do, or some sort of structure around their day tantrums can become more frequent.  It can be something as simple as making sticker pictures or playing with dough, but any activity that they enjoy that keeps their brain focused for a short time is a winner.

Final Thoughts 4 Year Old Tantrums

4-year-old-balancing-on-beam-in-park-autumn-picture

My 4 year old daughter has a very interesting personality.  She can be extremely confident in one breath, and become incredibly anxious and vulnerable in the next.  She is also incredibly strong willed, and I feel that she should embrace all aspects of her personality equally as all of them will be useful to her as she gets older.

I don’t want to quash any particular aspect of her personalty, and I suspect that these contradictions in her character are partly why her tantrums can become so severe.  This is why I prefer to approach her tantrums calmly and at the same time equipping her with the strategies she needs to cope with her emotions going forward.

She is one of those children where, if you up the anti with her and try the ‘putting your foot down’ approach she will up the anti right back at you because of her feisty nature.  While there is a place for being feisty, it’s often not the best personality trait to have when you are feeling angry or upset, speaks the voice of experience 😉

Tips for Coping with 4 Year Old Tantrums at a Glance

  • Don’t worry, tantrums are normal
  • Accept your parenting style and use techniques you are happy with
  • Let the tantrum run it’s course
  • Be patient
  • Be a good example
  • Look for triggers like food or situations that you can control to reduce tantrums

Does your child still experience tantrums?  What strategies do you use to cope with them? Please share them with other parents in the comments below.

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21 COMMENTS

  1. Interesting read! I have an 8 year old boy and a nearly 2 year old boy and I’ve been through it And decided to do it again lol i couldn’t imagine having a girl my boys have drove me crazy enough without having a mini me lol but I agree with your article that doing what’s best for you works. Sticker charts worked for my oldest but my youngest is a completely different person and I may have to take a different approach with him.

  2. Fab advice, sometimes us parents are too tough on ourselves and just need to take it one day at a time, one tantrum at a time

  3. No this stage wont last forever … BUT …. then you have the teenage years to look forward to 😀 …. Remember to keep smiling 😀

  4. My 4 year old always crys instead of having a tantrum, her 20 month old sister regularly screams and throws herself on the floor

  5. T used to have really bad tantrums too. But to be fair, they were really rare. At the moment, she hasn’t really had a bad one …. yet. Usually, it usually happens when she’s really tired. But I agree with what you said, this is just a phase 🙂 Hard to believe though when it’s happening 😉

  6. My little boy doesn’t seem to remember his actions after he tantrums – he is also four. It is like he just sees red. In contrast to his twin brother who never seems to lose his temper. Good advice here. I hear the teenage years are worse – something to look forward to ha ha X

  7. Yes! We are in the midst of some epic three year old tantrums…I do find sometimes they just need to let it all out because they have such huge emotions in such tiny bodies. Great tips lovely x

  8. B is 1.5 and they are starting! There’s often an identifiable cause, which is slightly reassuring. But, I have to remember, it’s definitely a positive thing developmentally, even if it is also a parental lesson in patience and understanding! ?

  9. You daughter sounds fiesty but lovely at the same time, I think we all were like this when we were young some of us more than others. Great tips

  10. Oh i hear you! Pickle is four – his tantrums do seem to be easing, when he was three they were epic! He is, erm spirited and I love that about him, but my, it is a testing time. Hang in there lovely. Kaz x

  11. I don’t have children so can’t really relate but I can definitely imagine my four year old self being a massive handful. Hopefully I’ll remember these great tips if I become a parent! X

  12. Some great tips here Zena. Thankfully we are way past this stage and living through the teens which brings a whole new set of challenges

  13. Touch wood, I seem to be in a parenting good spell and have not seen a tantrum for a while. They are testing times when they do happen though

  14. Yes they can be obnoxious little herberts and sweet little angles in the space of an hour! Just like you say, one day at a time is best…

  15. Going to share this post with my friend who has a little one who is well…keeping her on his toes with his tantrums just now! I don’t have children myself but I’m not sure how I’d cope with tantrums.

  16. Brilliant read! Thank-you! I’ve got the tantrums from the youngest at the moment, the 5 year old seams to have grown out of this phase, but is already making me wonder what the teenage years are going to be like – attitude – lots of!

  17. This article and the jeckel and Hyde of parenting we’re both exactly the right find for me tonight. I felt like if I could write this is what I would say since I was feeling like e too” and “yes I understand” and “ah finally someone else” of “I’m not alone”. I am a full tome working mom of two boys, 7 and 4’amd both different personalities. The 4 year old is the temper tantrum one. The 7 year old has had some tantrums but not like the 4 year old. Thank You Zena for writing these blogs.
    Terrie

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