The First Official Tantrum

Okay, I may have mentioned Caleb had tantrums but after today I have to ammend what I wrote. The previous tantrums were really nothing compared to what I had just witnessed today. You can say the previous ones were mini tantrums. Those tantrums happened because he did something he's not allowed to do and he cried because I told him not to.

Today's story began with yesterday when I showed him a trailer of an educational dvd from youtube. He liked it when there was a moon showing at the end of the trailer and he only wanted to see that part n requested that I repeat it over and over again. He was quite upset and grumpy when I decided to have enough of that yesterday.
And today after we just reached home from church, he unfortunately remembered that youtube trailer and asked about the "moon video" so I played for him. Sad thing the same thing happened all over again and even worse because he was really angry when I said I didn't want to repeat playing it. He was very angry and threw tantrum. The biggest one so far, yes, at 23rd month I finally witnessed it! I can understand why this is not the same like the previous ones. The previous ones were because he was not allowed to do something he KNEW it was wrong to do, this ONE is because he wanted something so BADLY and didn't understand why he couldn't get it (why mommy refused to replay for him) and that's why he was angry.
I knew it was going to be a tantrum so I brought him to his room and close the door to have a time out to cool him down. What I did not expect was this led to a bigger tantrum than in the past.

He was stomping his foot, kicking and fell down sitting on the floor. He was SCREAMING in anger.
my hubby was in the room with me and I asked him not to give him any attention he wanted.
Caleb was even angrier when he wanted me to carry him but I refused. He hugged me and because he saw that I didn't do anything he was stomping and kicking again and so I put him on the bed again. I kept telling him "we can get out and watch Hi5 after you stop crying". I told him too " i know you're angry but you cannot keep watching that when I tell you to stop. it was enough". He stopped and stared at me when he heard me say "i know you're angry" as if he understood that I acknowledged his feeling, but oh well, he was still angry and then continued his screaming and stomping.

To be honest, as a first time mom and my first time experience to witness my son having his first real tantrum, I was quite shocked but thank God I remain calm and in control (this is important! don't let your kid read that you are panic and not in self control, his tantrum could get worse). But I admit I gave in and hugged him and then carried him. He stopped crying immediately and I told him "that is good that you stop crying now. Remember you cannot ask mommy to replay over and over again when mommy say enough, okay? now let's go out and watch hi5"

you know what....we went out of the room, and he was a happy content kid watching hi5, like nothing ever happened before!!! he was even smiling to me!! Goddd....what did just happen??? LOL
but I guess that was tantrum. it's done when it's done. and that what's time out for, to cool him down, to wait til he's done throwing tantrum.

I thank God my first experience having my son's tantrum was in my house and not while we're out! I might get more panic if I was outside. To be honest, it was quite traumatic. I hope it wont happen again.
Here is my observation why this tantrum happened. and I admit it was my lack of wisdom.

First, I should have learned from yesterday that this could end the same. I shouldn't let him watch that again

Second, he was hungry and tired at that time. This was the main cause that triggered the tantrum. We were out since morning til 5pm and I didnt give him his milk before he napped because I thought he had lunch and then ate some french fries before he went down to sleep. But my fault was I didn't pay attention at how much he ate before he napped. We shared the french fries. My hubby and I probably ate more than him. Sigh...

But tantrums happen. at least once in your child's life, it is unavoidable. I just pray it wont happen too often and than when it happens, I am more prepared and have more control n be calm enough.