Ignoring them might work for some, but I find dealing with tantrums a great way to teach your children how to deal with their frustrations and rationalise how they feel. I see many kids become even more frustrated and upset when their tantrums have been ignored, not to mention parents!

Also, I don't want my kids to grow up feeling that if they have a problem, they are going to be ignored and frustration is unacceptable - tantrums aren't a child's way of ****ing you off, but a way of them trying to communicate their frustration, boredom, tiredness, hunger or thirst.

Marisa will almost always tantrum and exert more trying behaviour when she's way past hungry, but most of the time she wont tell me she's feeling hungry. So, when she's having a tantrum, I will say, 'Marisa, you seem rather frustrated / upset / angry. Are you feeling hungry?' Then she'll say yes. So I will say, 'Okay then we can get you something to eat. How about next time you feel hungry, you tell mum and I can help you. But when you are upset / angry, I don't know what you need to help you feel better.'

So rather than go through the processes of ignoring a tantrum and waiting for it to sink in that tantrums aren't going to work - because they will keep trying as it's very normal toddler behaviour as their brains are not developed enough to understand - I figure I can nip it in the bud, help her with communication skills and minimise tantrums. I hardly have any at all from my kids but when I do, I know that Marisa is REALLY hungry and usually tired at the same time, as it's a rareity.