Parenting a newborn or toddler is full of love, discovery, and joy—but let’s be real, it also comes with challenges. Two of the biggest hurdles most parents face are temper tantrums and separation anxiety. These behaviors are a normal part of development, but knowing how to handle them can make the difference between daily stress and peaceful parenting.
If you’ve ever Googled “how to stop toddler tantrums” or “tips for separation anxiety in babies,” you’re not alone. Parents everywhere are searching for proven solutions. That’s where a sleep consultant near you, like Sleepytime by Lisa, can be a huge support in guiding parents toward calmer days and restful nights.
Understanding Temper Tantrums in Toddlers
Temper tantrums often begin around 18 months to 3 years, a natural stage where children express their growing independence but lack the words to communicate.
Why do tantrums happen?
• Frustration from not being understood
• Hunger or fatigue
• Overstimulation
• Transitioning from one activity to another
How to manage tantrums:
• Stay calm and use a soft voice (your calm helps regulate theirs).
• Acknowledge feelings: “I see you’re upset because we had to leave the park.”
• Offer limited choices: “Do you want the red cup or the blue one?”
• Use distraction techniques like sing a song, offer a toy, or moving to a new activity.
Separation Anxiety in Babies and Toddlers
Separation anxiety is most common between 6 months and 3 years, when little ones realize they’re separate from their parents.
What separation anxiety looks like:
• Crying when a parent leaves the room
• Clinging at daycare or bedtime
• Refusal to sleep alone
How to ease separation anxiety:
• Practice short goodbyes and return as promised (this builds trust).
• Use comfort items, like a favorite blanket or stuffed toy.
• Establish a goodbye routine (a kiss, hug, and wave).
• Gradually increase the time apart in small increments.
Interactive Activities for Parents & Children
1. The Feelings Chart 🖍️
Create a chart with pictures of emotions (happy, sad, angry, tired). Each time your toddler has a tantrum, help them point to how they feel. This teaches emotional awareness.
2. Peek-a-Boo Practice 👀
Play peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek with babies and toddlers to help them understand that parents always come back.
3. Calm-Down Jar ✨
Fill a jar with water, glitter, and glue. Shake it when your toddler feels upset, and have them watch as the glitter settles. It helpsslow breathing and emotions.
4. Transition Songs 🎶
Use short songs for routines like bedtime, cleanup, or leaving the house. This prepares toddlers for change and reduces tantrums.
Why Work with a Sleep Consultant?
Tantrums and separation anxiety often worsen when babies and toddlers are overtired. That’s where working with a sleep consultant near you can help.
At Sleepytime by Lisa, parents find personalized strategies for sleep and behavior challenges. With expert guidance, you’ll learn how to:
• Establish consistent sleep routines
• Reduce bedtime battles
• Ease nighttime separation anxiety
• Help your toddler regulate emotions through proper rest
When children sleep better, tantrums decrease, and separation anxiety becomes easier to manage.
Final Thoughts
Managing temper tantrums and separation anxiety in babies and toddlers takes patience, practice, and the right tools. Remember—you’re not alone. With interactive activities, consistent routines, and expert help from a sleep consultant near you like Sleepytime by Lisa, calmer days and restful nights are possible.
👉 Ready to reduce tantrums and bedtime stress? Visit Sleepytime by Lisa today to connect with a certified sleep consultant near you.