Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a screaming match with your two or three year old? They are both red in the face, with tears running down their faces. You want nothing more than peace and quiet, and it seems like all your child wants is to test every nerve in your body.

The first thing to realize is that children who lash out do so for a reason. Remember that you are the adult. Considering they don’t have the ability to wake up in the morning and make a conscious decision to make your life hell, you need to get down on their level. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you need to get there fast.

When you have children who lash out, you first have to determine the “why.” Ask yourself why your bundle of joy is now throwing toys at your head and then laughing at you as you try to time it out. Considering I’ve become the master of dodging, diving, ducking, and diving, I understand you’re desperate. Children who lash out generally do so for one of five reasons. Bless you if it’s more than one.

Reason #1 – Children want our attention. let me repeat. Children want our attention! As a parent, you are the only one (or two if you have a partner) who share that special bond of the parent/child relationship.

Reason #2 – Children also experience stress. Children lashing out at their parents are an indicator that there is a bigger problem within the home. Divorce rates have skyrocketed and unemployment is at its highest level in decades. Children are sensitive to their environment and their emotions.

Reason #3 – Here’s a simple cause for having lashing out kids; They are hungry. The third one also goes along with this. Feed and give water to your children! Jokes aside, sometimes it all comes down to your basic needs. There are times when we are so busy that we forget the little things.

Reason #4 – Children need clear limits. With children, muddy lines lead to fussy children.

Drum roll please…

Reason #5– CONTROL! You have it and they want it. Like wild animals, children will test the alpha male or female. You are faced with the often not so fun task of being the leader of the pack.

I apologize for getting a little short of breath towards the end. What are you waiting for? I also have a toddler running around. I’m sorry. Sometimes I have to make jokes not to cry. However, I realize that parenting is not always something to laugh about. Hopefully, I’ve given you a little insight into “HER” world. Review the items above and see if they help you deal with his pain in the… I mean, a lot of joy.