Each and every mother out there has had to deal with a case of the Toddler Grumps. Sometimes they arrive completely out-of-the-blue and other times you can sense them coming a mile off. Either way, they're not always easy to deal with and a few tips and tricks may make the world of difference the next time your toddler channels their inner Victor Meldrew.

1) Understanding why your toddler is grumpy can be key to dealing with the mood. You have to remember that your toddler has a far, far smaller vocabulary than you do and as a result, may be hugely frustrated by the fact they can't communicate their wants and needs.

What To Do- Stay calm. This is no one's fault. Take a deep breath and try to imagine what it would be like if you were struggling to communicate something to the person you trust most in the world. You'd crave their compassion and understanding, wouldn't you? Your toddler is no different.

2) Toddlers are incapable of masking or downplaying their emotions. This can sometimes mean that a sudden attack of the grumps is brought on simply by the fact that a teddy is out of reach and is therefore easily remedied.

What To Do- Remember that the scale of a grump- fest may not always reflect the size of the issue. Try to assume that the issue can be easily rectified; your calm demeanour should have a relaxing effect on your toddler making the situation easier to deal with.

3) Toddlers are slaves to their food and nap schedules and any toddler that is forced to endure a change in their schedule can become very grumpy very quickly.

What To Do- Take a moment to see if your toddler's meal or nap times have been disrupted in any way today and if so, you most likely have the cause for this particular grumpy episode. If a change in meal or nap time is unavoidable, because hey, that's life, try to prepare as much in advance so your child can adjust to the change. Pack snacks or nap-time toys if you're out and about, so they have some elements of comfort at hand, if needs be.

Remember that your toddler is trying to teach themselves the types of behaviour which are acceptable at different times and with different people. This is a learning curve for both of you and your toddler will soon identify what is and isn't acceptable at any given time. So, don't worry! Grumpy toddlerdom doesn't last forever!
 

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