My kids often tend to be in "moods" and then they feed off of each other and it tends to snowball for hours. It can range from bossy to whiny to overall just cranky and crying about everything. What are your tips for getting your LO out of a mood?
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Mainly, I focus on myself. I know when LO gets testy and aggravated (isn't listening), I can easily get snotty with her. I remind myself to do little resets of my attitude, and slow things down for her a bit.
Usually a "Hey, let's check in with each other. How are you feeling? Can we take some breaths together?" really helps.
If that doesn't work (and we have time), I'll ask if she wants to sit down to play Magnatiles, markers or baby. One of those always makes her super happy, and it's probably just that she's sitting playing with us.
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I straight up tell him to change his attitude. Then I give him some space.
eta: that sounds really harsh, but I really do tell him that the way he's behaving impacts the people around him and if he has something that he wants to talk about, I'll listen, but I won't be bossed around/talked down to/whatever without an understanding of what's going on. He'll usually go to his room to decompress then will call me to talk.
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@looch: I do something similar - i tell her that her actions are telling me she needs some relaxation time in her room, and that she can join us when she is ready to be in a better mood. I give her a big hug and will also hug her when she comes back downstairs.
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I usually do something similar - I'll say something along the lines of "Ok, I don't like it when you (x). When you're ready to be nice please let me know." Then I just give him some time - usually if I wait a few minutes and then come back to him he'll be fine.
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I put on Moana
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Same - I let her know I don't like how she's acting but maybe she needs some alone time to calm down and come back when she's ready. She'll usually go to her room and read her books then let me know she's feeling better.
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Usually, we try to lighten the mood a bit (ask her a silly question, do a little dance) but if that doesn't work, we'll tell her she seems upset and ask if she wants a hug. Sometimes she does and it usually calms her down. If she's really out of control, I'll ask if she wants to calm down in her room. These days, she will occasionally send herself to her room! She'll just climb the stairs and when I ask where she's going, she'll tell me she wants to be alone. She's 3 going on 14, I guess.
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Going outside helps...unless we are already out there. Just a change of scenery, in general usually is helpful. If we are outside, going inside to try coloring. Food and drink - something with a little sugar in it sometimes helps, too. Hangry kids are moody kids.
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Snacks!
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I have the empathy script I go to.
"Oh you wanted to do X but you had to do Y. That's so frustrating. That would make me mad!"
If it is something I need to put a stop to (like aggressive behavior) I try to use one word commands a la "How to Talk...". SPACE is one of the ones we use a lot when my older kid is being a pest to his little brother.
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