She really wasn't about to have a tantrum. *I may have bribed her with gingerbread biscuits. I hate the phrase 'the terrible two...

Tiny Tantrum

Sunday, July 30, 2017 BookBairn 14 Comments

She really wasn't about to have a tantrum. *I may have bribed her with gingerbread biscuits.
I hate the phrase 'the terrible twos'. Yes BookBairn sometimes shows signs of those 'terrible two' moments but I don't think it's because she's two that she's acting the way she is. If she's having a tantrum or a mini meltdown it's more than likely because:

1. She's tired. Or over-tired. And, do you know, when I'm tired I get frustrated more easily too. When I'm sleep-deprived thanks to a gorgeous but exhausting newborn baby I sometimes have meltdowns too. I cry. I stamp my feet. I crave comfort and cuddles.

2. She's hangry. One of my worst traits too. Just ask my husband.

3. She's poorly or teething. When I feel unwell I just want to curl up too. And when my wisdom teeth came in I cried in pain too.

4. She can't control her impulses. Now, I'm a bit better at this one. But she is only little and sometimes she will act before she thinks. I must confess sometimes I speak before I think and put my foot in it. So I can sympathise with this one.

5. The big one: she hasn't learned how to cope with those big feelings yet. Sadness, jealousy, loneliness, frustrations, inability to communicate something, even positive emotions like excitement can be overwhelming.

My lovely friend for 'Then there were three' wrote on her blog recently "I'm learning (and accepting) that tears and tantrums are a normal part of toddlerhood as our girl pushes boundaries, and learns to manage big or confusing emotions." And this really struck a chord with me. Little kid, big emotions. And so every time we experience a moment of 'terrible two-ness' I take a deep breath and remind myself: little kid, big emotions.
See she was happy about it!

But it's also part of parenting to help her understand and find coping strategies for these big emotions. And here, of course, I turn to books. There are lots of great books about emotions and you'll find a great list this month from the @kidlitpicks team on Instagram. We are all focussing on 'Little Kids, Big Emotions' this month so I'll hopefully have a round up post for you soon of other books at the start of next month. But here is my choice:

'Tiny Tantrum' by Caroline Crowe with illustrations by Ella Okstad is a brilliant story of a little girl called Tiny Tantrum. Tiny is a happy and smiley toddler when she's getting her way but if you try to tell her to wash her hair, or tidy up of go to bed, she, like many toddlers, goes into meltdown mode. But one day when Tiny is commencing a tantrum after her mum asks her to put on her coat a hairy, purple monster appears. And convinces her that it would be better to put on her coat otherwise she will get a chilly bottom and won't be able to play. (An argument that I'll bet her mum already made.) But a hairy, purple monster is, of course, more persuading and they all head off to the park.  When Tiny is presented with broccoli at dinner time she stamps her feet. Enter a turquoise monster in a chef's apron who does a wiggle and a dance saying that "vegetables taste better when you eat them with a giggle". When Tiny doesn't want to share the trike in the playground another monster appears and shows her that sharing is a good way to make friends. Toothbrushing time: another monster to ease the pain! But when the monsters don't want to go to bed it's Tiny's turn to tame the tantrums! 


This is a great story for toddlers who are learning to deal with temper tantrums or are struggling with sharing and making friends. Tiny is relatable and the monsters help soothe her little soul. I love the fact that the monsters are 'goodies' in this book too! Written in brilliant rhyme this story really rhythmically roles off the tongue, making it a brilliant read aloud story. It's hard not to get swept up in telling this story - even Papa BookBairn tried to put a tune to sing the songs (we haven't yet worked out the best nursery rhyme tune to borrow as we sing but I'll let you know if we do!). The illustrations are truly adorable - the monsters are so cute! And Tiny has a very expressive face which is so essential in a book about coping with emotions. I love the fun and quirky style of the story and the illustrations which match each other perfectly.


I'm not entirely sure this book really helps children understand their emotions but is will certainly help them realise that they are not alone in feeling that firey temper inside them and might help parents with a few more arguments to convince children to put on their coat, brush their teeth, eat their veggies and share. But I think mostly the monsters are a metaphor for distraction. When a tantrum is on the horizon - distract them. Turn them upside down. Make them giggle. Get the bubbles out. Because once they are in meltdown mode, in my experience, their is no reasoning with a toddler. 

Let's hope that the 'terrible twos' isn't a real thing! BookBairn certainly isn't terrible now she is two! She's just occasionally struggling to cope with those big emotions. And that's ok. Sometimes I struggle to. And that's ok too. I'll be there to hold her hand, wipe her tears, soothe the pain and support her in understanding her feelings. And sometimes I'll just stand back and let her get it all out. 

Look out for our 'Little Kids, Big Emotions' round up post in a couple of weeks for more books about helping little ones handle and understand their emotions. 

And wish me luck with the rest of the 'terrible twos'.
Mummy and BookBairn xx


*DISCLAIMER* I was given our book for free for review purposes, however, all words and opinions are my own.







14 comments:

  1. I was with BookBairn when she took this book from its delivery envelope and we read it straight away. She was very interested immediately despite my best efforts to put her off with my singing and we both enjoyed it.

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    1. I still haven't figured out the best tune!

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  2. Not come across this one yet, so looking forward to it

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  3. The terrible 2's, 3's and 4's were definitely a thing in my house ;) Thanks for sharing with #readwithme

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    1. Oh no! That's not what I wanted to hear Chantelle!

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  4. The terrible twos were quite terrible with my eldest girl, Kaycee, not so much with the youngest, Ella.
    Now I'm soon to face the teen years!
    I bought Kaycee (12 this week) a book about girls and the teen years. I really hope it helps through all the changes she's going to experience and I hope I can keep reminding myself how hard those years were for me which will hopefully help me help her through them :)

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    1. Ahhh I think I'd take the terrible twos over teenage strops! Hope the book helps! x

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  5. We were very lucky that we didn't suffer from the terrible twos here but I think that the analogy 'little kid, big emotions' is a great description!

    #ReadWithMe

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    1. Thanks Catherine - I keep it in mind when I'm having to take a deep breath!

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  6. This sounds a great book and I like your attitude to the 'terrible twos'. I'm pleased to say that none of my three were two bad, but my niece is currently on the 'terrible fours'!

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    1. Thank you! I guess it's one of those things that's unique to each child how the develop and how they handle it!

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  7. Little kids, big emotions is a much better way to talk about two year old than 'terrible twos'! This looks like a really interesting way to help little ones think about their emotions. #readwithme

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    1. Thank you! It's much easier to cope if you think about it that way rather than just thinking they are behaving terribly because they are two!

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