6mo old & starting to express anger

[Ashley&Scott]

DS has started to express anger. It used to be just crying, now it's crying & flailing arms or pushing away. (The flailing sometimes ends up being hitting if you're holding him, but I don't think he actually realizes he's hitting at this point.)

Right now when he flails I just gently hold his arms & tell him to be nice. I don't think he actually understands though.

Anyone else encountering this? What do you do?

[Deleted]

It's more frustration than anger, really.

Just be calm and try to meet his needs (if it's something reasonable) or distract (if it's something unreasonable). Speak in a really soothing, calm tone or sing.

[karinothing]

Umm, I am sure I am not going to win parent of the year here but DH and I just make fun of him and then he stops and laughs. ha ha

[everam01]

Yeah, he won't understand anything at this age. Redirection/distraction is really the only thing that might work.

[Deleted]

Jul 12, 2012 9:53:04 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Umm, I am sure I am not going to win parent of the year here but DH and I just make fun of him and then he stops and laughs. ha ha

That's "distract"

[Deleted]

Ds often does this when he wants something unsafe, & we take it away from him or don't let him have it. I usually tell him gently that it is hard to want things you can't have, & mommy will help him feel better. While he is calming down I hide whatever it is he wanted & find a replacement toy ( usually a favorite )

[Ashley&Scott]

Jul 12, 2012 9:18:16 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

It's more frustration than anger, really.

Just be calm and try to meet his needs (if it's something reasonable) or distract (if it's something unreasonable). Speak in a really soothing, calm tone or sing.

Yes frustration is a better description.

Good to know, this is pretty much what I do now. Singing is like magic, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star has calmed him many many times.

[Ashley&Scott]

savestheday- DS has this reaction when he doesn't want to get in his car seat or when he doesn't want to take his medicine (We're counting down the doses, only 3 days left...dumb ear infection)

[Deleted]

Jul 12, 2012 9:53:04 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Umm, I am sure I am not going to win parent of the year here but DH and I just make fun of him and then he stops and laughs. ha ha

Dude. I still do this and DD is almost 2. Except now she doesnt laugh. (to be clear, if she's hurt I would never laugh, but if she's having a tantrum for no reason I sometimes can't help it.)