The Prevention Formula

Most tantrums have three predictable ingredients: hunger, fatigue, and overstimulation. Remove one and the tantrum often never ignites.

Hunger: feed your child every two to three hours. Small snacks — a banana, crackers, cheese — keep blood sugar and the emotional brain stable.

Fatigue: protect nap times and bedtimes ruthlessly. A child who missed their nap is a ticking bomb; no errand is worth the meltdown that follows.

Overstimulation: watch for early warning signs — getting louder, moving faster, eyes slightly wild. That is the one-minute warning before detonation. Move them out of the noise immediately.