The ‘on-trend’ phrase we all use is: Make your kids’ tantrums much worse

EVERY parent wants to prevent a tantrum before it gets out of hand.

But according to this educator, there’s one common saying that can only make things worse if you’re not careful.

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Emma Hubbard is a pediatric occupational therapist from Australia. She explained on YouTube that this phrase, which is “in fashion,” may give the impression that you are helping your child, but that is not really the case.

While some mom influencers and even parenting books suggest acknowledging your little one’s feelings by saying something like, “I can see you’re upset,” this can backfire.

Emma explains: “You’ve heard that saying this will make your child feel heard and seen and that it will calm down. But surprise, surprise: the tantrum doesn’t stop.

“So you’re stuck on repeat mode, repeating ‘I can see you’re upset,’ like it’s some kind of magic mantra.”

While it’s important to acknowledge your baby’s feelings, it can be frustrating if you don’t do anything else afterward.

So it is out of the question to keep repeating yourself with these reassuring phrases.

“When your toddler has a tantrum, the thinking part of his brain is turned off.

“It’s like someone trying to talk to you in the middle of a busy crowd; it’s hard to concentrate and understand what’s being said,” Emma explains.

Here’s what you should do instead.

Rather than repeating the words you say while trying to comfort your toddler, say them just once and stay with him or her as he or she processes his or her emotions.

The educator suggested giving the child a hug, or just sitting quietly next to them while they calm down.

“Just being quiet and having a reassuring presence is an extremely effective form of support,” she said.

But if your toddler starts throwing things or becomes physically violent during a tantrum, it’s best to keep your distance.

“As long as they’re safe, it’s okay to keep a little distance, but still let them know you’re there for them,” the parenting expert said.

But you shouldn’t just tell them to stop crying and then leave them alone, because that can send the wrong message, Emma noted.

“It may seem like you’re saying their feelings are bad, not okay, or that you don’t want to be around them when they’re upset,” she said.