Hey there, fellow parents! If you have a six-year-old, you know that emotional meltdowns can come out of nowhere and turn a calm day into a whirlwind. My daughter, who just turned six, has had her fair share of dramatic moments. Let me share what I’ve learned about handling these emotional meltdowns, with heartfelt tips that come straight from the trenches of parenthood.
1. Stay Calm
When my daughter is in the middle of a meltdown, I remind myself to stay calm. If I panic, it only escalates the situation.
Example: We were at the park, and she didn’t want to leave. Instead of reacting immediately, I took a deep breath and knelt down to her level. “I know you’re having fun and don’t want to leave. Let’s take another 5 minutes and then leave.” This showed her I understood her feelings, and my validation of her feelings, helped her understand my point of view.
2. Set Aside Special One-on-One Time
Spending dedicated one-on-one time with my daughter helps her feel valued and understood, which can reduce emotional outbursts.
Example: During lunch, we have our special “Mommy and Me” time. No phones, no distractions—just us. We talk, play a little game, or read a book together. This special attention makes her feel important and loved.
3. Acknowledge Their Feelings
I’ve learned that acknowledging my daughter’s feelings can make a huge difference. It’s important for her to feel understood.
Example: One evening, she was upset because she couldn’t find her favorite toy. Instead of brushing it off, I said, “I can see you’re really upset because your toy is missing. Let’s look for it together.” Just knowing that I understood her feelings made her feel better, even before we found the toy.
4. Create a Routine for Talking About Feelings
Talking about feelings regularly helps my daughter express herself better and reduces the chances of a meltdown.
Example: Every night before bedtime, we have a little chat about our day. I ask her how she felt about different things that happened. “What made you happy today? Did anything make you feel sad or angry?” This helps her process her emotions and feel heard. Infact, on some days, the fathers too must join in this fruitful time. It helps to strengthen the bond. Read my article on making fathers more involved in parenting.
5. Offer Choices
Giving my daughter choices helps her feel more in control and can prevent meltdowns.
Example: When it’s time to leave the playground, instead of just announcing it’s time to go, I give her a choice. “We can leave now and have a snack at home, or we can stay for five more minutes and then leave.” This way, she feels like she has some control over the situation.
6. Use Distraction Techniques
Sometimes, a good distraction can quickly calm a meltdown.
Example: We were in the supermarket, and she started to get upset because I wouldn’t buy her a candy bar. I quickly pointed out a funny-shaped fruit nearby. “Look at this silly fruit! Doesn’t it look like a monkey’s face?” It shifted her focus and diffused the situation.
7. Create a Calming Corner
We have a special “Calming Corner” in our house where my daughter can go to relax and calm down when she’s feeling overwhelmed.
Example: The corner is filled with soft pillows, a cozy blanket, and some of her favorite books and toys. When she’s upset, I gently suggest, “Why don’t you spend a few minutes in your Calming Corner?” It’s her safe space to process her feelings and regain her composure.
8. Be Present and Attentive
Being fully present and giving my daughter my undivided attention when she needs it the most has been crucial in managing her emotional meltdowns.
Example: One afternoon, she was visibly frustrated with her homework. Instead of multitasking, I put my phone away, sat beside her, and gave her my full attention. “Let’s figure this out together.” My presence and attention helped her feel supported and less overwhelmed.
9. Teach Deep Breathing and Mindfulness
My daughter gets angry in an impulse and then handling her in such situation can get very tricky. This technique was the most difficult to implement. But finally I succeeded in first teaching myself and then teaching my daughter simple deep breathing exercises to help her calm down when she feels overwhelmed.
Example: When she’s about to have a meltdown, I guide her through a breathing exercise. “Let’s breathe in like we’re smelling a flower, and breathe out like we’re blowing out a candle.” It’s a fun way to help her relax and manage her emotions
________________________________________
Dealing with emotional meltdowns can be challenging, but remember that it’s a normal part of growing up. My daughter’s meltdowns have taught me a lot about patience and understanding. By staying calm, acknowledging their feelings, offering choices, and teaching problem-solving skills, we can help our kids navigate their emotions and grow into emotionally intelligent individuals.
For more parenting tips and heartfelt stories, see my other posts.
