15 Month Old with a Temper

Our older son (2.5) has a bit of a temper (a gift from Mom). But, in reading your post, I was saying, "Wow." to myself. Jacob went through phases of expressing his anger. For ahwile he would hit. Then he would head-butt things. Then he would throw. Now, he growls and tries to hit us. But, as mad as he gets - it was never as bad as you described.

In my opinion, your 15 month old seems to have a some extremes and I would ask her doctor about it. I recently met a friend for dinner and she has had some pretty challenging issues with her middle son. She met with an allergist and changed a LOT of his foods. It really made a difference. She actually had before and after videos to show the doctors. I never would have thought it could make that much of a difference. If I hadn't have seen the video myself, I wouldn't have believed it.

Good luck.

My son, 11+ months is just starting this same behavior...he sleeps great 10-12 hours at night and up to 3 hours of naps daily. He is just flat out determined to take the dirt out of a plant, crawl to the toilet "water playground", throw the remote at his big brother, climb on the vacuum, etc and when I say no! the tantrum begins. I don't cave because these are truly bad things, I hope it's just a learning process because he can't talk and he doesn't understand why mommy won't let him do these "fun" things. If you get some good advise, please pass it along so maybe I can nip it in the bud now.

Time outs will work - but you have to put her in her crib where she'll stay safe until she's calmed down. When my son was going through a stage of yelling and inappropriate behavior he was calmly picked up, placed in his crib and told when he stopped yelling, or said "sorry" for whatever he did, I would come and get him out. Oooooh did he have some screaming fits from the crib, but eventually he figured out he wasn't the boss. Good luck! J.

I agree with the other two, check for food allergies and put her in her crib to calm down. If you're in a place where you don't have her crib, we do 'holding' time outs where you put the child in your lap with her back to you and cross her arms across her chest and hold her tight, just watch out for her head. Then you can talk to her, tell her you love her, but also tell her exactly what she did that was inappropriate (we don't throw toys, etc) over and over again. Just be consistent. Good luck.

Hi Fran,

I really do not have any advise for you. I am reading what people sent to you...reason being...I am going through the same thing. Our daughter (15.5 mos) will scream, cry, throw herself on the floor. We try and relocate her, which seems to help. Diaper changes.....screams and tries to sit up. She even hits us. One time she took my fingers and spread them apart with this look of anger. Like you (gets it from me...stubborn and hot tempered...sometimes inpatient). I will keep reading.

You are note alone.