My 15 month old son has started having tantrums. No big surprise really, but my problem is this: most advice I've seen says to just hold him, so that he can't hurt himself til he calms down, and on no account to give him what he wants (ie reward the tantrum).

Unfortunately, usually what he wants is me, so holding him IS giving in to the tantrum. I seem to be spending half my time detatching him from my legs, or knocking him over when I try to ignore his clutching hands! I don't really want to 'imprison' him in his cot during the tantrum in case it restarts sleep problems (he's been sleeping through the night for the last couple of months - it's bliss!)

Any thoughts or suggestions?

i use to lie mine down on the floor where there is a lot of space so they can't hurt themselves on anything.

Even there kicking and thrusting and headbanging they control themselves so they will never do it harder than what they can take if that makes sense.

Then ignore them whilst they let it out of their system.

You are right not to put him to his cot, some toddlers then associate their beds with bad and you then have a sleep situation on your hands!

Hi

you might find the following helpful:

http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/F/family/parenting/toddler.html

Good luck

C4 Health Editor