22 Phrases to Stop a Tantrum in Its Tracks

Giving your child a choice can help give them a sense of control during a tantrum. For example, if you don't want your little one to eat a treat, ask if they'd prefer crackers or a cheese stick instead.

Tell your child exactly what you want them to do in as few words as possible. That way, there is no confusion or mixed messages.

If spiraling out of control when things don't go their way is becoming a habit, put an end to the behavior with a clear statement like this one. Let your child know this is not an appropriate way to handle him or herself if, for instance, they don't get the last chocolate pop and wind up with vanilla.

You are letting your child know that their bad behavior doesn't change how you feel about them. You are also affirming that the tantrum will not yield the result they are hoping for.

Try distracting your child when they're mid-meltdown. Show them something or tell them a joke. Anything to redirect their attention and hopefully put an end to the tantrum.

Here's another redirecting phrase that takes your child's attention away from what's upsetting them. Say you're at a park and they erupt over their snack being finished. Pull out crayons and a coloring book, or head for the swings and the tantrum will be in the past (fingers crossed!).

If your child simply cannot regain control of themselves, let them know you're removing them from the situation. They can come back to the party or the bookstore, or whatever the case may be, when they have calmed down.

If you threaten consequences for undesirable behavior, it's important to follow through. If you tell your child, "We are leaving the park if you don't stop screaming," do just that. Dr. McCoy urges parents, "Do not threaten something you do not plan to enforce."

Dr. McCoy discourages parents from bribing kids mid-tantrum. Saying, "If you calm down, you can have ice cream!" will only breed bad behavior next time. Instead, she suggests trying a proactive approach. If your child behaves in a given situation (being patient while you get ready), he gets a reward (watching a show, having fruit snacks, stopping by the park). "You're rewarding the desired behaviors rather than the tantrum," she explains.

By encouraging your kiddo to talk about their feelings, you're teaching them to express themselves with words, and discouraging them to express themselves through a temper tantrum.

Give your child a few minutes to calm down away from whatever precipitated the tantrum.

Getting down on your child's level and asking them this simple question makes them not only feel heard, but also can help you cut to the chase. You can't help them if you don't know why they're crying. If they say they wants to use the markers near the couch, explain this isn't a good idea, and then redirect them to an appropriate place to use the markers. Case closed!

Giving your child a task to distract them from a tantrum and keep them busy is another great approach to ending the out-of-control behavior. Say you're shopping when a tantrum hits. Ask your little one to help you find the apples or water. Can they pick out three lemons? Or count the shopping carts in this aisle?

This phrase lets your child know they're not being effective in getting what they want. If they can calm down and talk to you, maybe they can make their needs heard.

Sometimes tantrums happen when kids are hungry, AKA hangry. A simple snack may help them calm down and put an end to the tantrum.

It's important to catch your kids being good. That way, they know when they're doing the right thing, not just the wrong thing.

It's important to pick your battles with kids. If what they want is actually not that big of a deal, maybe it's better to just say "yes" and move on.

Sometimes empathy works to calm a tantrum. Depending on your child's age, you can tell them a story about a time you got frustrated. This also works to distract your kiddo from what they were upset about in the first place.

Sometimes ignoring a tantrum works better than saying anything at all. If you minimize the attention you give to a tantrum, your child sees that they aren't getting their desired result and moves on.

Tantrums happen more readily when kids are exhausted. If your child is melting down repeatedly, it's time for a nap. And making sure your kiddo is well-rested will cut down on the number of tantrums you have to battle on a regular basis.

If your child had a tantrum but calmed down quickly, be sure to praise them. That way the next time they melt down, they know what to do to resolve their frustrations.

If your child is having a temper tantrum at a playdate, kicking and biting, it's time to remove them from the situation. Any time a tantrum is putting your child or someone else in danger, first deal with the safety issue, and then help them calm down.