Parental Temper Tantrum: What to Do After You Lose It

Concerned about a parental temper tantrum? We all have them occasionally. After all, even parents are human. The point is, what do you do after you lose it in front of your child? Sure, it's embarrassing. You still have to deal with it. How do you do that without admitting defeat? Should you discipline your child after such an outburst? Don't you owe them an apology? How can you forgive yourself after you lose it in front of your child?

Sometimes it's better to say nothing after a parental temper tantrum. They do serve the purpose of shock value after all. Especially if they are a rare occurrence in your household. Let your words sink in before you start apologizing for your bad behavior. Chances are this issue has been building upon itself for sometime. Most likely whatever you went off about needed to be said, even if you did choose the wrong way to say it.

A parental temper tantrum doesn't negate discipline. What you did was wrong, there's no denying that. Still, your child needs to be held accountable for their actions. Don't let the guilt from raging at your child stop you from handing out a reasonable consequence. Clearly what they did to merit your overwhelming reaction was wrong. Why should they go without being corrected simply because your initial conversation was volatile?

When your temper tantrum gets violent, walk away. Slam the door, punch a pillow or whatever it takes to get it out of your system. Never hit your child in anger, even if you believe in corporal punishment (which I do not). A parents job is to protect their child (even from themselves). Use your self control to leave the room, walk around the block or simply take a deep breath and get yourself back to a normal thought process.

Don't be afraid to apologize. Don't think that by apologizing for a parental temper you are excusing your child's behavior. Make it clear that you overreacted and are sorry for it. Then go back and have the calm discussion you should have had in the first place. Give that part some time, though. You both may need to cool off a bit before you can hold a reasonable conversation of the issue at hand.

Forgive yourself. You may wish you were the perfect parent, but really we are all just human beings doing the best we can. Don't beat yourself up over one parental temper tantrum. You will make many parenting mistakes. The point is to learn from them, be honest about them and move on. What to do when you lose it in front of your child? Keep your child out of danger. Let the lesson sink in. Apologize for your behavior. Discipline appropriately if warranted. Most of all, forgive yourself and learn from your actions.

More from this contributor:

Why You Should Let Your Toddler Cry

Does Your Child Own Their Mess or Do You?

Having a Baby? Why You Shouldn't Look at It That Way

Source:

Personal experience