How to Calm Your Child's Tantrums

Every parent knows that their kids' temper tantrums are unavoidable ... and how difficult they can often be. Still, those tantrums that the terrible twos and threes yield do have an upside: They represent a necessary stage of growth that allows a child to begin their individuating process.

But must they be so painful? Here's a little crash course in calming the torrent within, based on your child's Sun sign.

Aries
You may have your hands full, since these little ones are capable of throwing tantrums as if their lives depend on it. One of the best ways to help an Aries child out of an all-out screaming fit is to avoid it entirely by providing them with lots of activity. If that doesn't work, reinforce their sense of self by giving choices and showing consequences for their actions. Ultimately, the more powerful and challenged they feel, the more apt they will be to calm down more quickly.

Taurus
The tantrums here can last longer than most, as Taureans are known for stubbornness and holding onto a grudge. One of the best strategies is to provide a soothing atmosphere -- music can often calm an agitated Taurus child. A comfy bed ... a good nap ... all these "luxuries" we take for granted, your Bull must have. If all else fails, pets often help distract and pull a Taurus child out of their funk.

Gemini
The good news is that your child will pretty quickly get over whatever it was that got him or her angry in the first place. The bad news is that these little ones can shift from happy to mad to happy again before you even know what happened. If your child grabs every item in the toy aisle and elects to begin tossing them about in a fit and fury, take comfort that this too will pass. Quickly shift your little Twin's mood with a tall tale, or a fun and shiny object.

Cancer
Here come the water works. Cancer children are super sensitive and can cry over seemingly the smallest things, so tantrums are a regular occurrence for them. This isn't because these children are poorly behaved or don't mean well; it's because they need a extra dose of Mom and Dad's love. These little ones feel things so deeply that it can be difficult for both you and them to understand. Just hold them tightly, as hugs help calm a Crab who's been over-stimulated.

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Leo
Drama is the key word here. If your little Lion is going to pitch a fit, they'll make sure they have an audience -- and that everyone on the block knows about their mood. The good news is that these tantrums are more about putting on a show then anything else. Don't ignore your child, but certainly don't indulge their behavior with an excess of negative or positive attention. Simple time-outs are your best option here.

Virgo
These little ones usually only pitch a fit when something is out of sorts. Generally speaking, Virgo youngsters are not the loud, dramatic types, so the best course of action is to see what went awry -- and if there is a solution. Is your child tired? Nap time. Is your child missing something, or has their routine been upset in some way? Help your little one regain composure with reassurance that everything will be okay. These children tend to worry so much that anything you can do to put their little minds at ease will help alleviate outbursts.

Libra
Libra children don't like to be embarrassed in front of others, so it's important that you catch these little ones in the moment before the whining turns into a tantrum. Explain to them that grown-ups appreciate a child who knows how to make him or herself happy, for these kids often look for others to do that for them.

Scorpio
You have your work cut out for you, for Scorpio kids are notorious for their ear-shattering tantrums. Your little one possesses intense emotions that need to be released. If you can muster the energy, jump and scream with them -- just be sure to not make it a competition, and don't make fun of them. Instead, let them see that you also feel that way sometimes. After all, we all experience those kind of feelings ... but we all don't know how to express them the way Scorpios do.

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Sagittarius
Your little one may have a short fuse -- but that fuse can definitely taper, given the right environment. Your child has always had strong opinions, and he or she is not afraid to express them to anyone who will listen. If your Sag is prone to pitching a fit if someone disagrees, you may need to go out of your way to help them understand that not everyone will always agree. Simply reassure them that everything is okay, and that there are always two sides to everything.

Capricorn
Two words that aptly describe a Capricorn's meltdown: serious and forceful. Can you recognize the signs that your child's intensity is ratcheting up? If so, then you may be able to avoid the outburst entirely. These little ones don't like to be misunderstood; rather, they prefer it when their needs are anticipated in advance. If you can sense a tantrum on the horizon, quickly switch into reassurance-and-praise mode, for these little ones thrive off knowing they have done a good job.

Aquarius
These little ones are a bit unpredictable -- you can't say for sure when they could be set off, or what may cause it. The important thing to remember is that they are independent little buggers, and they're likely to respond well if you give them some leeway to solve their own problem. An Aquarius child will often have an old soul, and will probably know what they need to get themselves out of a funk.

Pisces
Your Pisces child's tantrum may look less than a tantrum than most, as by nature these kids are people-pleasers. As a result, they tend behave more oddly than anything when stress arrives. Spacey, unresponsive, hiding -- these are all classic Pisces tactics. Bring them back out into the real world and ground them by engaging your little one.

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