WHEN THEY HAVE MELTDOWNS…

Understanding kids’ brains will help you deal with their anger – the brain is not fully formed until age 25 and children have not yet developed the capacity to control big feelings. In full-blown meltdowns, the primitive, emotional part of the brain takes over. When this happens, your priority should be to find ways to help your child calm down, such as taking a 10-minute break, jumping on a trampoline or screaming into a pillow. For you, learning to pause before responding is one of the most effective techniques. Becoming more aware of your own emotional triggers puts you in a better position to provide the leadership kids need.