What To Say To An Angry Child

This is a repost from Lemon Lime Adventures.  It's that time of year when kids are dealing with Cabin Fever and being able to play outside on that one good day doesn't quite cut it.  Then throw in Daylight Savings Time and expect 2 weeks for kiddos to be able to regulate themselves.  This all leads to Angry Children.  Hopefully this post will provide helpful information for parents to guide their little ones through the tough times. 

Please click the link for  more ideas on helping a child calm.  http://lemonlimeadventures.com/13-helpful-phrases-calm-angry-child/

Doors slamming. Teeth gritted. Feet stomping. The anger just rolls from such a tiny body and leaves you feeling helpless. You are doing everything you can to keep your cool, “It’s going to be okay” is all you seem to be able to muster. Your child is convinced the world is against him and that it is for sure NOT going to be okay. As the door slams, you slump to the ground with your hands over your face and wonder… what could I possibly say. Here are 13 helpful phrases to calm an angry child are perfect for those heated moments.

You are not alone. In fact, time and time again, I am reminded of just how many of us struggle to have the words to say to calm an angry child. We’ve been taught that no child should speak to an adult like that, yet deep down we know they just don’t mean it either.

What to Say to Calm an Angry Child

• I love you. It is incredibly important to remind your angry child that you still love them. That no matter what they say to you, you will indeed love them. These three words should be repeated in a calm manner as often as your child will hear you.

• I see that you are upset. Letting a child know that you can physically see their anger helps them become self aware of what is happening to their body when they are angry. It allows you the chance to talk to them about the situation without trying to solve the problem immediately.

• It is okay to be angry. Validate their emotions. Yes, they might be going off the deep end over something you don’t truly understand, but right now that doesn’t matter. They need to see the rational adult validating their feelings.

• Would you like my help? You might have read that the best suggestion for an angry child is to give them a hug. However, some children will downright refuse any touch or help in their most heightened emotions. Giving them choice puts ownership on them and allows them the ability to accept or deny your strategies and help.

• I wonder if… Children don’t always have the ability to know why they are upset and what is the underlying cause of their frustrations. Offer an idea such as “I wonder if you need to eat something. I wonder if you could use a nap. I wonder if you need a hug.”

• I am going to… When your child is screaming at you or stomping, they are often looking for your reaction.Staying calm and collected is essential. However, letting your child know your moves and plans is also key in letting them know what is coming next. “I am going to wait over here until you are ready. I am going to move closer to you so you know where I am. I am going to wait out in the hall until you finish screaming."
• Would you like to try…. While this is not the time to rationalize with your child, it is okay to offer your help. Often times a child is expressing extreme anger because they don’t know how to self regulate. You can offer many calming strategies or suggestions for help. I would suggest only suggesting one and then waiting some time before speaking again.
• Can we start over? Sometimes, we all just need a do over. Sometimes, kids don’t even realize they are getting worked up or emotional until it is too late and their brains have already entered the flight or fight response. Offering a simple do-over can be a great way to get through the frustrations.
• I am sure we can find a solution later… Now is not the time to try to reason with your child. They might want an answer now. They might want to argue now. Now is not the time. Once they are calm and they have left the “flight or fight” response you can start to address what made them so upset in the first place.
• It is not okay to… It is important to set limits and be consistent. Let your child know that it is okay to have these big emotions and you will love them through these explosions, but it is never okay to hit or hurt others.
• You are safe… One thing that causes children to act out with anger is fear. They could be afraid of what will happen when the fit is over, they could be worried you will be mad at them, or worse they may actually fear for their safety. Remind them in a calm and collected voice that they are safe.
• I remember last time we tried… If your child is just beginning this journey of big emotions and hurt feelings, they might remember everything you have been trying up until now. They might need reminders of what works and what doesn’t. The hope is that with each outburst, things start to return to calm a little faster each time.
• I will be here when you are ready… Above all, remind your child you are not leaving them. Sometimes,we as parents need breaks too! We need to step away from the situation to keep our cool, however, our children need to know we are there for them. Letting them know exactly where you are going and how they can find you when they are ready is a great way to give them reassurance and avoid telling them to “calm down”.
Remember, loving an angry child is hard. It is exhausting for both you and your child. It is a journey that can’t be solved or traveled in one day. Most importantly, remember you are definitely not alone in this journey.