Problem:

Lately, Braiden has gotten into the habit of getting very upset before meals. He understands when he gets hungry, but he does not understand that food does not happen instantaneously. So, if he doesn't get something on a plate right away at the table, he throws huge temper tantrums; he flings himself on the ground, pounds his feet or hands, screams, and cries. Up until now, I have not found a solution that keeps us both happy, and him tantrum free.

Failed attempts at finding a solution:

-Giving him a small snack to tide him over until meal time
-Distracting him by putting him in another room with toys, or near our rabbits, or diverting his attention in any form possible
-Telling him that tantrums are not appropriate
-Ignoring him to see if tantrum stops on its own


Current Solution:

I decided a few days ago that I would start putting him in his crib, so that he has the opportunity to calm him self down on his own in a place that is his space & comfortable to him. So far, it is good because it gets him in a different room than me (so that I can focus on preparing a meal), and it does inevitably calm him down. It is also good because it is something I can do consistently, as long as his tantrums happen at home (and they haven't started occurring in most other places yet). The final good point is that he seems to understand that he is in his bed for a reason, so he has not started popping out of bed and marching straight back to me to continue throwing his fit.

So, what is the drawback, you may wonder? Well, it takes a while for him to calm down. Sometimes a few minutes, sometimes 1/2 hour. Putting him in his crib actually makes his tantrums momentarily worse, which means that he is crying louder in his room for a few minutes. And, most of the time recently he ends up falling asleep in his crib.

The nap itself is probably a good thing for him. And I have no problems with him taking his nap a little earlier in the day if that just happens to be when he needs it... but if he falls asleep right before I'm done making a meal, I don't know if I should just let him sleep or if I should wake him up to eat. And, I am afraid that he thinks when I put him in his crib for having a tantrum he is supposed to take a nap, which is not the case.

If he doesn't stay anywhere else I put him when he is having a tantrum, how will he know that his little time out is not necessarily a nap time?

Anyhow, that's all I've got for today. If you happen to read this and have a helpful suggestion, it is much appreciated. Otherwise, as is normal, I already feel better thinking out the problem a litter further. So, adios for now.