A child psychiatry specialist reminds us that parents' attitude remains decisive in supporting a child through episodes of anger.
Faced with a child who screams, stamps their feet or refuses every instruction, many parents feel helpless. A child psychiatrist, asked about the subject, defends a simple idea: the adults around the child remain the best resource for getting through these difficult moments.
According to her, a tantrum is a normal manifestation of development. The young child does not yet have the tools to express frustration, handle disappointment or accept a refusal. Anger then becomes a raw language, often bewildering for those around them. Understanding this reality already helps put things into perspective and keep one's composure.
The specialist insists on the need to stay calm. A parent who remains steady, who speaks in a firm yet gentle voice and avoids answering violence with violence, offers the child a reassuring framework. It is not a matter of giving in to every demand, but of maintaining limits while acknowledging the emotion. Naming what the child feels, for example by saying they are angry because they cannot have what they want, gradually helps them put words to their feelings.
Moments of calm are just as important. Spending quality time with one's child, recognising their efforts and celebrating their achievements strengthen the bond of trust. A child who feels loved and listened to will be more inclined to turn to their parents when in difficulty, rather than withdrawing or exploding.
Finally, the child psychiatrist reminds us that some tantrums can become very frequent, intense or prolonged. In such cases, it is advisable to speak with the family doctor, a paediatrician or a child mental health professional in order to rule out any particular difficulty and to receive the best possible support.
According to her, a tantrum is a normal manifestation of development. The young child does not yet have the tools to express frustration, handle disappointment or accept a refusal. Anger then becomes a raw language, often bewildering for those around them. Understanding this reality already helps put things into perspective and keep one's composure.
The specialist insists on the need to stay calm. A parent who remains steady, who speaks in a firm yet gentle voice and avoids answering violence with violence, offers the child a reassuring framework. It is not a matter of giving in to every demand, but of maintaining limits while acknowledging the emotion. Naming what the child feels, for example by saying they are angry because they cannot have what they want, gradually helps them put words to their feelings.
Moments of calm are just as important. Spending quality time with one's child, recognising their efforts and celebrating their achievements strengthen the bond of trust. A child who feels loved and listened to will be more inclined to turn to their parents when in difficulty, rather than withdrawing or exploding.
Finally, the child psychiatrist reminds us that some tantrums can become very frequent, intense or prolonged. In such cases, it is advisable to speak with the family doctor, a paediatrician or a child mental health professional in order to rule out any particular difficulty and to receive the best possible support.
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Source: La Nouvelle République