Temper Tantrums: Can Moms Have Them Too?

If toddlers can throw temper tantrums, then why can't moms? After all, there's a lot of frustration that comes from raising kids who have very definite opinions on such things as the proper time for going to bed (never) and what constitutes a good dinner (ice cream). And though we all try our hardest to maintain an even keel, sometimes a mom can't help having a good ol' fashioned freakout. Guest Sarah Burns of The Ohana Mama asks, "Are moms allowed to have temper tantrums?"

More videos on Momversation ... Browse all 348 videos

Showing the Latest of 13 Comments

patricia musso
1 years ago

loved this conversation. There is a lot to do when you have two kids, under 6, a husband who works 60 hiors a week and I am a full time student. My lastest freak out was when I took a break to sit outside and get some fresh air and then all of a sudeen my husband, who was inside with the kids, came out to ell me that they used air freshener as hairspray and was freaking out because it started to burn! Where was my husband? On the couch relaxing. I was a lunatic and even though I had felt bad after I knew my tantrum was justified!

fishman
2 yearss ago

One important fact to recognize is that we all have temper tantrums occasionally. Think back to the last time you felt frustrated trying to get your printer to work. You may have thrown something, yelled out loud, or even sworn at it. This is basically an adult tantrum. The screaming, crying, and hitting that your young child shows is their version of a temper tantrum. Kids are no different than us; they get frustrated and angry too.

acm
2 yearss ago

well, my kid is a bit younger (a little under 2), but sometimes late on a tiring afternoon, when she wants to make a diaper change into a 20-minute struggle, I just can't take it. once or twice I got close to her face and yelled, but it was unproductive and made me feel terrible -- she kept crying but just added a look of terror into the mix on her face -- so have tried to blunt it for her (show frustration, let there be Consequences, but more along the lines of just walking away and making her wait a couple minutes before I come back to the action; cool-down for both of us). so far no real tantrum, but I think the depth of nuts really requires the semblance of a walking, talking human being, with all the extra depth of dumb and game-playing that that brings along... :))

alli-n-son
2 yearss ago

I try so hard not to lose it in front of my kiddo. Often it's the poor dogs who get the brunt of my frustration. My toddler is just getting to the age where he realizes that I'm upset or yelling (at the dogs) so I'm going to have to find a new outlet soon. Or try to explain why it's OK for Momma to yell at the dogs, but he shouldn't. Or my husband gets it, when I'm tired, he's been gone all day and night, and the kiddo decided it was more fun to feed the dogs his dinner than eat it himself. Those days I just dump the kid (and the dogs) on him as soon as he gets in the door, go sit in front of the TV and completely zone out for the rest of the night. It feels so good, especially when hubby keeps asking if I'm going to ever come back to reality.

Jojo
2 yearss ago

Thank you for this Momversation! As irrational as it may seem, I really do often find myself wondering if I'm the only one who has done it. When it happens, I apologize. I've also just started walking away for a little bit when I feel myself on the edge of losing it. It helps but it definitely doesn't eliminate them.

feastafterfamine
2 yearss ago

I have four kids five and under: of course I have tantrums. Some days - OK, most days - they drive me bat shit insane, and I can't be Zen all the time. Slam doors? Check. Stomp off? That too. Scream? Absolutely. The most embarrassing, and therefore funniest, is when I do all three then realize the windows are wide open. So my neighbors and anybody walking down the sidewalk at the time heard my ridiculous freak out. I always apologize for losing my temper and tell the kids that while it's OK to get angry, it's not OK to lose control and upset people. We talk about how I could have vented my anger without losing my cool.

Sarah@Ohana Mama
2 yearss ago

OMG, me too with the windows open and neighbors hearing...BUT then I hear my neighbor go off and I just smile to myself, thinking, "yay, she freaks out too!"

StacieinAtlanta
2 yearss ago

Great job! Glad to know I am not alone. I love seeing you on here Sarah! Always makes me come back more. :)

legpub
2 yearss ago

Thanks for sharing these tips on temper tantrums that moms do have from time to time. I'm glad I am not alone too.

amyz5
2 yearss ago

I loved this one. My kids are older now and they joke about when mom used to 'go over edge'. Yet I think it really helped them understand their own irrational behavior. You are all right on target with this. No matter your style, as Asha described, it is important for them to see that range of emotions. Funny, now my daughter who is 20, will actually help me gain control when something gets to me. She will tell me to let it go and move one. Hmmm... where have I heard those words before?

Temper Tantrums: Can Moms Have Them Too?

Showing the Latest of 13 Comments

Post new comment

Sponsored Links

Panelists

We Work With 40 Contributors Meet Them All

Express Yourself!

Momversation is the place where real women share personal insights into the issues that affect us.