Comments on: Stopping Tantrums — The “Birthday Cake” Trick

By: Dock from Exton, Pa

Dock from Exton, Pa — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:42:55 +0000

Great article and makes a lot of sense. I will implement and report back…Thanks for the tip!

By: Eppie Vojt

Eppie Vojt — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:35:30 +0000

Melissa,

Thanks for your comment. Kids catch on quickly, no question. Like Danielle mentioned, mixing in different scenarios helps quite a bit in getting the kids to see the fun, and not the “trick.”

Blow out the candles, blow bubbles underwater, blow down the house like the Big Bad Wolf, try to make my hair move when you blow… there’s a lot of scenarios that help to extend the life of this trick. Eventually, you might still end up in a “beep beth” situation, but thankfully, the kids also mature quickly… they may be past the worst of the tantrums by the time they’ve fully caught on.

By: Melissa Brotherton

Melissa Brotherton — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:47:38 +0000

When our oldest was around 3 years old we started having him take deep breaths when he was hysterical. What was funny was that after a few months of this he caught on. Then, when we’d tell him to take a deep breath he’d start sobbing, “I don’t wanna take a beep beth.” Now he’s almost 6 and we still say to take a “beep beth.”

By: Danielle

Danielle — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:07:27 +0000

It’s too funny, but I do this with my 3 year-old too! It works. You can also try telling her to pretend that she’s going under water, and have her blow out to make bubbles.

Funny how the discovery of these little tricks is one of the simple joys of parenting.