Anger is a normal emotion that we all have. Your daughter is now at the age when she must learn some calming techniques to help her manage her anger in a more appropriate manner.
In a neutral time when she is not upset and there are not any negative behaviors occurring, talk to her about anger. Tell her that we all feel it and that we can recognize the feeling by what happens to our bodies when we are mad.
Sometimes our voice gets louder or we clench our teeth or fists. Some people even hit or throw things. These are not good choices because people can get hurt. But there are things we can do to manage our anger that are safe and OK.
Ask her to come up with a few options when she feels herself getting angry. She could hug her favorite blanket or stuffed toy until the anger goes away. She could say, “Mommy, I am mad,” and you could suggest a calming technique for her.
She could also “blow out her birthday candles.” To do this, she holds up as many fingers as she is old. Then, one by one she can blow out her “candles,” folding each finger down as she blows it out. She could also count to 20.
Be creative. If one method does not work, try another. Write them down and post them on the refrigerator. Have her star the ones that work the best. She can refer to this list when she is angry.
Practice them and praise her when she practices. Also, reinforce her with praise when she effectively utilizes one of the calming techniques.
When situations become tense, remember to FIRST manage yourself and your emotions. THEN manage the environment to make sure everyone is safe. FINALLY, manage the situation or the behavior by teaching a more socially acceptable alternative. One of the most powerful parenting tools is modeling. When your daughter sees how you handle yourself when you are angry, she will likewise do the same.
