Jack · 24 months old · 4 days ago
Tantrums are out of control at 2
Jack is 2 and the tantrums are INTENSE. Full body on the floor, screaming, inconsolable. Usually over tiny things like his banana breaking or me closing the fridge. I try to stay calm but sometimes I want to cry too. Is this normal? How do you handle it?
This is completely normal for age 2! Toddlers have big emotions but underdeveloped prefrontal cortexes - they literally can't regulate their feelings yet. The 'broken banana' meltdown is classic because toddlers crave control and predictability. Strategies that help: stay calm (their emotions are not your emergency), validate feelings ('You're so upset the banana broke'), offer comfort without trying to 'fix' it, give choices to increase their sense of control, and ensure basic needs are met (hungry/tired = more meltdowns). During the tantrum, keep them safe and ride it out. It's okay to step away briefly if you need to. This phase peaks around 2-3 and improves significantly by 4.
Always consult your pediatrician for medical advice.