How Do I Keep My Son Entertained and Avoind His Tantrums?

hi i keep my son entertained by drawing+painting also playing hide+seek he loves it, also hiding his toys for him to find thats a good one my son Robbie loves that game good luck xxx

Try stopping by the playground or the library's children's section. You'll always find other kids of various ages, which can sometimes be better than a class with all the same age. If you see the same kids several times, you might be able to set up play dates with them. Good luck, and have fun!

My guess is that he is overtired. I have learned through my years of watching multiple kids over many years that the majority of childhood tantrums are caused by being overtired.
A child between 12 and 18 mos needs to have 15 - 17 hours of sleep a day. This means that if they have a 12 hour sleep at night, then they still need 3 to 5 hours of daytime sleep.
I know you will have people tell you their child did fine on less, but maybe their idea of fine includes thinking tantrums are normal.
NONE of my daycare toddlers have tantrums if they get that much sleep. I still nap them twice a day until close to 2 yrs old and they do better for it. The only child who consistently is crabby, has tantrums or clinginess is the one who doesn't get close to enough sleep. She is getting 10 hours on a good night and 3 hours at nap and is almost 2 and she is so sleep deprived most days she is here.

Check to see if your school district has a Parents as Teachers program. It should be at no charge to you and they can really help in so many areas. Most school districts across the United States have a PAT program.

The program where I live also offers a free playgroup at a local school. It's awesome to see your little one interacting with others his age. They will also send a PAT rep to your home to check on development and help you manage things like tantrums.

If you don't have one, check with local churches to see if they have any programs that you can go to. It sounds like your guy is dying to play with others and chatting with other moms would be good for you, too!

You can also check your local public library. Many have children's sections with toys and of course, lots of books, videos and computer games for him to play with. If they have them, start with the "JumpStart" series of computer games, my kiddos loved them. At 15 months, he would be entertained with the JumpStart Toddler.

Finally, try to stick to a schedule with him. It looks like you are already noticing patterns - tired, bored, hungry. Keep everything consistent (eating, nap and play time) and I'll bet you see a drop in tantrums. Good luck!

you can't completely avoid tantrums in childhood, now or later.

Your baby sounds social. But at this mere age, they don't interact or play/socialize as like older kids. At this age, they "parallel play." Look it up online.

He may also be cranky because he is tired. Does he nap?

A baby this age does not have to be "entertained" all the time. Its GOOD for them to learn self-reliance too and to explore on their own. Just in the home, the yard, with pot and pans etc. But baby proof the home to make it safe.

At this age, they are "reactors" and react to things. They do NOT know all about social "rules" yet. And their "emotions" are NOT even developed, nor fully developed yet. They cry or tantrum to communicate.

Try going to the park... join Mommy groups, go on walks etc.

And in time, sure, teach him about how to express himself so he does not get all frustrated. For a child, even just being ABLE to say "I'm grumpy..." and not being "scolded" for it, can be VERY positive for them and the parent. That way, the child grows up with a healthy sense of themselves and how to say how they feel... and how to cope with it. Even some adults still need to learn that! LOL

A good book is: "what to expect the first year" which you can find pretty much anywhere or online like at Amazon or perhaps E-bay.

All the best,
Susan

The Chicago Parks Department has some great (and inexpensive) programs that you can sign up for. We are currently in the Moms, Pops, and Tots program with our 13 month old and she loves the opportunity to play with other kids around her own age. Check it out http://programs.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programBrowser/

The spring registration is closed online but the website says you can drop in your nearest park to see if they still have availability.

Good luck.

He is too young to really benefit from other children. Developmentally, children don't start really interacting until around 3. He is getting to the height of tantrums which often peak around 18-20 months. For entertainment, I would get him lots of paper and crayons to scribble and kitchen stuff. I would take him to an indoor park and maybe a singing class and a craft class with the park district. Also are there mom groups around you and a public library or a borders with a story time? wonder works has fun stuff for littleones

My daughter is 18 months old, we don't have much interaction with other kids either, met a few Mums from a site called Netmums so went along for play afternoons here and there, the mothers are very clicky and don't really chat to me much, some do and are nice, some people don't have a clue how to interact with others, I on the other hand am very friendly and welcoming (moving off the point slightly hehe), all the little kids play together but really kind of ignore each other as much as play together (I think kids this age acknowledge each other but don't really 'make friends' yet).
I was also worried that my daughter didn't have 'friends' but like I say, she plays with cousins and acknowledges other kids when we go out, I don't think she will 'suffer' development-wise as there is plenty of time for all that. Me and her are like best buddies and I know that she will be just fine when she goes to nursery and school, no probs with mixing with other kids, I think your son will be fine.. you are all he needs at the moment so don't worry about that.
With regards to the tantrums, my daughter has discovered these, she will lay herself face down on the floor and beat the floor with her fists.. not for long tho as I do laugh, but then I just encourage her away from her little tantrum by asking her to come and draw some pictures or do some colouring in her books, she soon forgets her tantrum and moves onto the fun things we're doing next.
I hope this has helped a bit.. Kim from UK

I have a 15 month old who is getting to this stage as well-but he's my second son so I remember it well! My older son is 4 and I'm sorry to say the activity level, boredom, and tantrums only get worse!!! All of the advice offered below is great. We love playgroups, playgrounds, library events, park district events (classes and free events), church outings, etc.

Just a word of encouragement-I'm sure EVERYONE can relate to your frustration at this time of year. My boys are SO anxious to get outside-even my 15month old recently discovered biking, and is always pointing out windows and trying to tell me to take him outside. Tantrums and energy levels are always highest in the winter (cabin fever), but spring is coming soon!!! You'll see a huge difference once your child can run around outside for an hour or two-less tantrums and nice long naps! Good luck!

My daughter loved the free storytime that most libraries have. As for tantrums, your first mistake was treating it as cute in the first place. You've taught him that is how to get your attention or what he wants. He's not to old for a modified time out. If he has a tantrum at home, immediately put him in his crib. In public, best thing to do is leave immediately or remove hom from any stimulation. Do not talk to him when he is having a tantrum, do your best to ignore it. Good luck.

Sounds a bit like your son has gotten some attention from you (laughing, etc.) for throwing his tantrums, so it might be hard to stop them, but not impossible. I would stop reacting to them right away, and ignore them. Once he learns they don't get him what he wants, he will start to do it less. It's impossible to avoid them, or distract them ALL the time, so your son will need to learn that tantrums don't work. It's a good lesson for him to learn, and it's good for you to know that you don't always have to "avoid" them. There's a lot of moms groups in the area. Check out www.Meetup.com, or post something here to start a group. Just make sure your son can also handle lower-key days where you stay home too, otherwise you will teach him that every day is full of playing with other kids and excitement, and that isn't always so. It will be easier to get out and take walks once we start to thaw out from our Chicago winter. ;)

T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com

I was going to suggest the free story time at your local library also. I'm sure you could contact your town and find out if there are any other free or inexpensive activities he could get involved in. Some community centers have drop in play times. Now that the weather is getting better you'll be able to take him to your local park too so he can spend some time on the swings, etc.
Good luck!

hi maybe you could find a mother and toddler club that way your child interacts with other children and you get to to meet mums .

soon the weather will be better adn you will be outside..

do you have a schedule... ? so he knows what comes next in the day.. at his age he proabably cant do an activity for more than 15 mintues.. but you should paly with him some of the time..

read a book or two,,, do playdoh, color, play cars..

join a moms club, or a playgroup.. go to the library.. for story time.. go to the mall.. we alwaysa and I do mean always .. went somewhere every day.. so we got up dressed adn went out.. came back for lunch and nap.. then the day was good..

Check out what your local community has to offer in terms of things to do with young children. The library usually has storytimes, playtimes, etc. Some churches have playgroups that meet a few times a week and the park district also offers some classes if you cannot afford to send him to a year-round preschool. Now that it gets warmer it usually is enough to sit at a playground somewhere and other mommies and kids will be there.

Check out www.kidwinks.com for ideas on places to take him. The Events Calendar lets you click on a day to find out what's going on - including story times at libraries & other places, free days at museums, festivals, etc. You can also click through the Ongoing Activities section for ideas on indoor play areas, outdoor fun, etc. If you become a member of kidwinks, which is free, you can sort the search results in order of distance from your home.

At that age, both of my girls loved getting together with other kids their age, and still have many of those friends today (they're 6 & 8 years old now). They think it's really cool that they've known these friends since they were babies, and love to look back at pictures and videos of them from their younger days.

When your son starts with the tantrum, walk right up to him and look him in the eyes and tell him to stop, I have found that a 1,2,3,4,5 count and a immediate consequence to his actions will help stop the tantrums. Also take the toy that he is throwing, and put it away and let him know why you are taking it from him. If he is throwing your things again take something of his from him that he like's to play with and help him understand that it is not acceptable to threw or have tantrums and that he will loose his toys if he throws your thing or anything.The other thing looking your neighborhood there maybe other mothers or fathers that are in the same situation, maybe you all can develope friendships, and a few days out of the week get together and let the children play or take turns sending the children to each others houses that will give each of you a break during the day, and they get to play with other children. It would be good to also maybe one day a week all get together so that each parent can see how the children inter act with each other, and it will help them with social skills as well. Mostly I find that children respone to discipline and boundaries, they understand it and they know that you love when you do it.

Do your child have any sensory issues? Is his development on track? Sometimes one or more senses are either over- or under-reactive to stimulation which can cause tantrums. If you think your child may have sensory issues I'd google sensory integration dysfunction or check out the book The Out-of-Sync Child.

Most libraries have free classes that you can take him too. I know the joliet library has 5 or 6 classes a day for little ones. Its a good, free way to get out of the house and let your son interact with other kids. The kids can sing, dance, play, and listen to stories. Its a great time. Good luck!

You have gotten alot of good responses here. The tantrums should not be found "amusing" by grownups for sure, but neither should you worry about them too much. At that age, frustration is often expressed that way. (And there is alot to be frustrated about!)Try to help your son find alternative ways to express his feelings. He may not be able to "use his words" yet but you can start helping him understand that. I agree that the napping issue may come into play here. Is he getting enough rest? You may also be overstimulating him if you think he has to be entertained all the time. There are low key ways of interacting with your environment too. Just walking around exploring a baby proofed area is interesting when you're 15 months. Walks and playing outside are essential in all weather (in my opinion).
The social thing is important. My child was very social already at that age. He started going up to other kids and engaging them in play as soon as he could walk. Join a playgroup or start one. It will also help you to connect with other moms in your area. It doesn't have to cost money. Check out the local bookstore or library for reading days for young kids. And speaking of reading you might benefit from a book or two about child rearing. I really enjoyed Penelope Leach's Your Child Birth to age 5 (that might not be the exact title but you can google her)-it's full of practical, fun suggestions and is also informative about developmental stages. Good luck to you!

Hi K.,

There are lots of ways for you to get your son out and get some interaction with other kids. Your son seems to seek it out and that is good so you want to foster the continuing of the social skills. Here are some suggestions that are free or low cost:
1) Local library - Some local libraries have preschool story time and craft time. He may be too young for the crafts but it may be fun to listen to a story in a group setting with other young kids (you may meet another mom that way too).
2) Local hospitals - Usually have a mom network. Check the website or call your local hospitals and see if they offer a moms network in your area. I was able to connect with local moms through our hospitals mom network and join different playgroups at the park.

3) Local City/Town Recreation Center - Sometimes they offer mommy and me classes and mommy and me preschool for a very low price.

4) Check local churches and state government agencies that offer free mommy and me type classes in your area.

Good luck!