Yeah right.
BUT…I did accidentally find a parenting tool that works on my soon-to-be three year old.
Norah doesn’t tantrum often. When she does–look out! A few months back, when she was stomping her feet and crying hysterically, I couldn’t keep myself from giggling. I know, awful of me. The unexpected result: Norah started giggling. Huh.
So far, it has worked 98% of the time. It is hard for me to muster a guffaw when my cortisol levels are rising from the horrible sounds emerging from my child. But I call upon the skills learned in David Dolge’s sophomore drama class and voila: we’re soon all giggling and snorting.
I was especially excited when it worked in front of my sister. I totally looked like supermom, I’m certain.
I wonder how long this tool will work. One thing that become obvious early on in this parenting gig: what works today will not work tomorrow. Keeps us on our toes, yes?
Want to know more about crazy tools like giggling when your child is tantruming? Check out Lawrence Cohen’s book Playful Parenting or take a look at this article or this one. Meanwhile, is tantruming a word? Spell check doesn’t thing so.
Inexplicable Ways 
Hahaha! I’ve tried laughing at (with ) my son when he’s stiffening up his body and angry/frustrated crying. And it works! He gets this sheepish look on his face and pretends he’s busy doing something else. And he’s only 13 months!
Oops, gotta go save the dogs–he’s chasing them and teasing them with his cookie. Giggling doesn’t work with that problem!
I will have to try that on Suzi. I usually only get the giggles when we tell her to do something and she refuses, especially when she scrunches up her chubby little face trying to look mean. It’s just so cute. I know that’s bad.