7 Positive Sides Of Child Tantrums, Can Mark Emotional Health

JAKARTA – Child tantrums in public spaces are a challenge for parents. But apparently, there are things parents need to know that children's tantrums are not always bad. Although it is necessary to look for strategies so that children can control their emotions, tantrums actually mark their emotional health.

Some experts provide information about signs of emotional health in children expressed through tantrums. Reported by the Parents page, Tuesday, November 16, here are the positive sides of tantrums:

1. Crying is a process of becoming unhurt

Deborah MacNamara, Ph.D., parenting educator and author, says getting angry, frustrated, crying or whining is a way to release stress. Crying has also been shown to lower blood pressure and improve emotional well-being as long as a loved one is around.

Parents need to pay attention after a child has a tantrum. When the mood is much better, suggests Deborah, avoid interrupting the process until the kids have finished releasing their feelings. According to him, crying is not a wound but a process of becoming unhurt.

2. Crying helps children to learn

Patty Wipfler, founder of Hand in Hand Parenting, said that she worked as a 5-year-old babysitter several years ago. He observed that when a child was stuck in a stressful situation, such as playing with Lego but finding it difficult to build what he wanted, he cried a lot. After throwing a tantrum, the boy sat down and fixed the lego structure.

Tantrums are a way for a child to struggle and express frustration. This helps to clear their minds so they can learn something new. According to research that Wipler refers to, for learning to take place, a child must be happy and relaxed, and expressing emotional disappointment is part of this process.

Illustration of a crying child (Unsplash/Zahra Amiri)
3. Sleep better

For parents, the approach is taken so that children do not have tantrums and are upset. But it turns out that the more forbidden he is the more he suppresses his feelings and overflows when his brain needs rest. This means that children often wake up in their sleep because of pent-up stress or trying to process something that is happening in their lives.

4. Saying 'no' is good

When a parent forbids an activity the child wants, or says 'no', that's great because it gives the child boundaries about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Sometimes it takes the right size to say 'no' so as not to put pressure on the child's emotional side.

5. Expressing feelings is a sign of feeling safe

Tantrums can be triggered for a variety of reasons. Behind these reasons there is something more essential, namely the love and connection between parents and their children. Like the wrong color socks or not liking the food menu can trigger a child's irritation, but when he has a tantrum, still empathize with his feelings so he can still feel safe.

6. Tantrums can build stronger emotional connections

An angry child does not appreciate the presence of his parents. On the contrary, when he becomes grumpy and often tantrums, give a hug with a few soothing words. Children will absorb the unconditional acceptance of their parents more and feel closer afterward.

7. Long-term behavior becomes more cooperative

A child's emotions can be expressed in a variety of ways, such as aggression, keeping them under wraps, or refusing to cooperate on simple tasks such as brushing their teeth or feeding themselves. This is a common sign that your child is struggling with his emotions. Tantrums can help children let go of the feelings that are blocking them and in the long run can be more cooperative.