Over-Stimulated Grandkids: How to Deal

The holidays are behind us, and you may think that the inappropriate behavior of your grandchildren is a thing of the past as well.  Reality check:  the tantrums they threw over a toy they didn’t get from Santa or the food they refused to eat at supper, or the meltdown at the supermarket because they couldn’t have a treat, are going to continue right into the new year. 

The reality is that sometimes kids are naughty, and putting your foot down can send them into a tailspin, especially if their parents seldom do so.  At other times, we put our grandkids into what we think will be fun situations that eventually turn miserable.  A trip to the theme park, a visit with the cousins, or a meal at a restaurant can lead to overstimulation and, ultimately, obnoxious misconduct.

Regardless of the reasons, it’s essential for your sanity that you are able to bring the kids back to normal when a meltdown occurs.  Here are a few techniques to try the next time your sweet grandchild turns into a little monster:

• Stay calm.  If they are shouting, don’t start shouting back.  Refusing to react or get sucked into their tantrum is essential.
• Meet the child’s basic needs.  Offering a drink of water, a snack, or a nap may nip the problem in the bud.
• Remove the child from the situation.  If you are in a public place or with a group, it might be necessary to take your grandchild to another area.  For instance, if you are at a restaurant, go outside and take a little walk while you talk calmly, asking what will make him/her happy.  This will not only help the child, but it will allow all the other diners to enjoy their meal.  No one wants to be around a screaming kid.
• If you are at home, bring the child into the bedroom and snuggle.  Turn the lights down low, find a book, and begin to read with the child or look at the pictures.  Although the child may still be agitated, your job is to distract him/her with the calming sound of your voice. 

These techniques may sound like common sense, but keeping them in mind could help prevent a little hiccup from erupting into a full-blown storm.  Next time you see the signs that a melt-down is imminent, remind yourself that you know how to handle the situation, and remain calm.  You’ve got this!