When my nearly 3 year old throws a tantrum often will head-butt what ever is closest... often laying down on ground on our tiled floor, the edge of couch or my belly... I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this with their child/ren? Is it normal behaviour? Will he grow out of it? It really concerns me I am so worried he will hurt himself and I can't always get to stop him in time.
2 Replies
Happens a lot. I can remember at least 5 other mums writing the same question in the last 6 months. Don't react as it makes it worse (hard to do I know) if he is going to throw a tantrum pop him in a padded playpen or port-a-cot for safety.
If there are no other reasons to be worrying about his development (language delay etc) he will grow out out of it.
My 17 month old son does the same. I have noticed more and more people have experienced this; since my son has been doing it. I have found with my son that he does it when he doesn't get what he wants, OR when he can't tell me what he wants/needs. I think it's pure frustration.
I tried ignoring him, but I just couldn't stand there, know what was happening, and let him do it! (When he bangs on the floor tiles or the cupboard doors, it's OK, and I ignore it... BUT, when he hits his head on the cement!!!..... well, I go and pick him up, give him a cuddle, and move him to a different place. Then, I sit down, at his eye level, and offer suggestions to what it is he might want, and see if we can work through this frustration together.
People say it could be a 'problem' with development... I think it's SUPER DUPER DEVELOPMENT which is happening too fast for him to be able to get the 'adults' to understand that he's SO AMAZING, CLEVER, TALENTED, AND WONDERFUL :-D
Thumbs Up, Muma