Beyond the Tantrum

Sometimes the tantrum is the symptom, not the problem. A child who suddenly melts down more often is communicating a change in their world. Common hidden triggers:

• A new sibling, even months after the birth
• Conflict between parents — children absorb tension they cannot name
• School stress: bullying, academic pressure, social exclusion
• A schedule so full it leaves no downtime

Ask yourself: what changed in the last couple of weeks? The answer often reveals the real issue. A child cannot say "I'm worried the new baby is taking your attention," but they can throw themselves on the floor every time you hold the infant.