Are toddler tantrums genetic?

So a recent report from the Daily Mail suggests toddler tantrums are due to genetic reasons rather than poor parenting.

While this probably makes a lot of parents feel better, it made me lament and worry about what we are in for. I think I may be in for a rough ride.

My daughter turned three last weekend and I naively thought the terrible twos were over.

The day after her birthday, we had the mother of all tantrums-most probably because she was bored after the fun-filled days before when we celebrated her birthday.

Most of the time I either ignore the toe-curdling screaming and the foot stamping. It is just frustration and sometimes a child is seeing how far they can push boundaries.

Do you know what though? I still have tantrums now- just ask my husband.

I told my mum about my thoughts that the tantrums should stop when she reached three and she just laughed wryly saying ‘when they start they never stop.’

My favourite way of dealing with mini-meltdowns is the diversion technique - show her something else to try and divert her attention to what I have probably just said no to. It doesn’t always work but it is worth a go.

So there it is, the terrible twos can last a lifetime. I am proud to still be experiencing them most days *stamps foot.

If you want to read the article, it is available here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2542756/Toddlers-throw-tantrums-genes-not-bad-parenting.html

This article is a feature from the MUM.com Trusted Bloggers Club.

About the author

Emma Lander

Emma Lander is a farmer's wife and mummy. She writes for a living and hopes to live the dream of having loads of little chicks (both feathered and human). Worth a look if you want to feel normal (she's not) and read about the funny things that happen to her and her family.

Click here to read my full biography.