Anger is a normal, healthy emotion that children, teens and adults experience.
Here’s the deal though, children know when they are angry. They feel it just like an adult or teen would.
But they can have difficulty understanding and expressing it, which can be frustrating.
The good news is, healthy coping skills can be learned!
Here are three ways you can help your child better understand and manage their anger.
Lead by Example
You are your child’s biggest role model. How you respond to frustrating situations can impact them in more ways than you’d think.
Here’s an example. Let’s say you accidentally drop your coffee one morning, and your entire kitchen floor is covered in coffee.
We know that is far from fun, but those moments are the perfect opportunity to practice remaining calm even when it’s hard.
If your child notices you remaining calm, chances are they will mimic those actions in the future.
Time Outs
Time outs are a great calm down tool for kids.
When you’re angry or overwhelmed, sometimes the best thing you can do is take yourself out of the situation.
The same tool works for kids. Now, you may prefer going on a walk or reading, while they may prefer drawing or playing with one of their toys.
After a few minutes of quiet time, they may even forget why they were angry in the first place.
Remain Calm
We get it. When your child is angry and having a tantrum, it’s easy to lose your cool and raise your voice.
Even though it may be tough, the best thing you can do is remain calm and talk it out with them.
Sit down and ask them to explain exactly what they’re feeling and what brought it on.
Once you know what happened, the two of you can figure out a solution together.
The simple act of getting their feelings off their chest can help dial down some of the intensity.
