We are knee deep in two year old territory over here. Even though technically the terrible twos haven’t started yet, I’m willing to bet that this is what it’s going to be like for the next year. Right? It only lasts for one year. Right? RIGHT!?!?!?

To help our family avoid tantrums at all costs, these are the tactics we’ve had success with.

1. Bring handfuls of your toddler’s favorite snacks everyplace you go – the more crumbly, the better. Cheerios, graham crackers, fruit snacks, cookies. Soon your purse will have a nice dusting of crumbs at the bottom. That’s when you know you are a real mom.
2. Make sure your toddler is well rested before any major outings. Or at least make sure he falls asleep for the 5 minute car ride, so he’s nice and disoriented when you arrive at Target. That also makes for a fun trip.
3. Bring a spare diaper. Some wipes. A few pairs of pants. Four to five shirts. Three socks (not three pairs, but three individual socks). And if there’s any room left in your purse, an extra pair of shoes. Just in case there’s an accident, some juice spills, or he suddenly decides that he simply CAN NOT stand to wear the Elmo shirt for one more second.
4. Be sure your child is well hydrated to avoid unnecessary meltdowns. Bring along three to five of the following (also in your purse): milk, water, apple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice, a fruit smoothie, chocolate milk, and kool-aid.
5. Let your toddler know ahead of time that he will not be getting a treat or gift while out shopping. Then, be sure to take him through the toy section, just to test him. I mean, you did tell him know already, so he should be fine.
6. Before meal times, give your toddler two choices to pick from. It gives him a sense of control. Then, in the middle of a melt down because the grilled cheese somehow isn’t prepare exactly the way he wants, resist the urge to prepare four or five different meals, in the hopes that something, anything, will calm the angry, thrashing toddler.
7. When all else fails during meal time, bribe with a special treat if he eats the sandwich. Something healthy, like carrots. When that stops working, up the treat to an apple, a banana, a cookie, a trip to Disney World, a car for his 16th birthday. Whatever it takes to get him to eat one teeny, tiny bite of sandwich.
8. Let your toddler know in advance when you will be leaving, so they have time accept the change. Give him a 10 minute and a 5 minute warning. Or, you know, to give him extra time to throw a fit, run away, and hide in a corner while you desperately try to get his shoes and jacket on and out the door on time. For once, just once, on time.
9. Throw M&Ms in his general direction and run. Just run. Don’t look back until the cries have stopped.
10. Throw yourself on the floor, cover your head with your arms, and wait until the storm has passed. Hopefully everyone will get out alive.

Did you notice how many items I mentioned stuffing in your purse? Well, by purse, I meant one of these bad boys.

How do you deal with a toddler meltdown? Any funny meltdown moments that you want to share?

This blog was inspired by Oh Amanda’s Top 10 Tuesday’s Blog Carnival. Head on over for more Top 10 Lists.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

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Tagged as: tantrums, toddlers, Top Ten Tuesday