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The Real Difference Between Tantrums and Meltdowns

By Lemon Lime Adventures 11 Comments

Have you ever wondered the difference between tantrums and meltdowns. Not sure how you are supposed to react to your child when they start to have overwhelming behaviors? Are you baffled by what’s really happening with your child? In this three part series, I plan to dig into the real difference between tantrums and meltdowns, how to handle tantrums and meltdowns when they happen and how to get the tools and strategies you need to help your child prevent them from ever happening.

The Real Difference Between Tantrums and Meltdowns

If your child has ever had a tantrum or meltdown you have probably asked yourself these questions…

Am I causing this?
Why is my child is struggling?
Is my child in control?
Does my child know what they are doing?

In fact, I am sure these questions race through your mind every time your child spirals out of control.

I know, because I’ve been there. Before becoming a blogger I was a national board certified teacher for over 12 years. I have taught in all sorts of educational settings and loved many children that struggled with both tantrums and meltdowns.

You might even say… I have seen everything.

I also have 3 children of my own and I love everything about them. However, they bring their own challenges. My youngest is a two year old just learning how to communicate her needs and wants. While my oldest is a ten year old that struggles with anxiety and sensory processing disorder which bring a lot of tantrums and meltdowns on their own. We’ve definitely seen our fair share of both.

The first thing I want you to know is you are not alone! I’ve been there. I’ve been in the trenches and I have come out on the other side just like you will.

I want to go through this struggle with you. In fact, it is my goal from this video series to help you recognize what is going on with your child, dig deeper to get to the underlying problem, fear, anxiety or need and it is my goal to provide to you with the tools you need to help you calm the chaos.

In this ten minute video I will share what I think the the real difference between tantrums and meltdowns are, but more importantly… I want to challenge you with something you might not have heard before.

Let’s recap.

What is the difference between tantrums and meltdowns?

The general consensus is that a tantrum includes manipulation, knowing what they are doing and a choice. A meltdown includes being overwhelmed, anxious feelings, and system breakdowns.

I am the first to tell you that I do believe there is a difference. Sensory and autistic meltdowns are a very real thing and we have lived through quite a few.

However, I am challenging you to think of tantrums and meltdowns as a signal. Your child is signaling to you and saying, “I need your help figuring out this situation. I don’t have the skills I need to cope right now. I need you.”

That isn’t to say that you need to cater to every whim and tantrum your child has. On the contrary, I am saying that you must learn what your child is lacking, what skills they need, and learn to help them before they feel the need to tantrum or a meltdown takes over.

Tina Bryson, co-author of Whole Brain Child, even describes tantrums as not being so cut and dry. That children have what is called “upstairs and downstairs tantrums“, both of which need attention from the adults but in very different forms. When a child is having an “upstairs tantrum” they are working from their logical brain. They are in need of routines, guidelines, and set expectations. On the other hand, when a child is having a “downstairs tantrum” they are working from their emotional brain, which shuts off all reason and understanding. This is why I say, it is absolutely imperative to get to the bottom of why a child is having a tantrum or meltdown and address the need.

Print this Free Tantrums and Meltdowns Printable

This post comes with a free printable checklist to help with differentiating between tantrums and meltdowns.

I have made a simple printable for you that shares exactly how tantrums (especially those emotionally charged or anxiety drive) and meltdowns can look so similar and at the root, are both signals. Your child is saying… I need you!

This printable simplifies it!

Here is a sneak preview…

Tantrums and Meltdowns Chart

Download Your Free Printable

      1. Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join my weekly newsletter! Click Here to Download and Subscribe
      2. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
      3. Place it on your refrigerator.

What is the Difference between Tantrums and Meltdowns

Through this series, I am going to teach you how to get unstuck, how to have a happier child, and how to calm the chaos in your home.

Next time we are talk about what to do when we are smack dab in the middle of a tantrum or meltdown. how can we help our child and help ourselves come back to a state of calm.

But first, I want to hear from you. I want to know your questions and hear about the last time your child had a tantrum or a meltdown. I look forward to talking to you next time!

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Comments

  1. Full Spectrum Mama says

    March 4, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    Totally brilliant distinctions. Thanks for this very clear and insightful work!

    Reply
  2. Eileen says

    March 5, 2016 at 12:01 am

    Wow. This article came just in time! I teach Transitional Kindergarten and have seen meltdowns and tantrums increase just over the last month. Thank you for your specific examples and great insights

    Reply
  3. SKYE says

    March 23, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Thank you for your insightful series and for sharing your experienced knowledge on tantrums & meltdowns with us moms. I’m a new mom and my daughter is also two years (and 2 months) old like yours. I have struggled with her melting down from 0 to 60 with the most simplistic of tasks like teeth brushing and washing her hair in an otherwise fun bath session, to becoming uncontrollable in the store where she will just not stay by my side. She enjoys getting out of the cart but then will not listen to anything I say after 5 min and takes off. I give her the chance to explore and enjoy but then when I need to do the hopping and keep her safe, she takes off. If I pick her up she hits. We’ve never spanked her. We do time-is and try to follow positive parenting and no yelling, etc. But during these bouts…well, it’s hard.

    I’m truly looking forward to reading and hearing this series. Thank you again. ♡

    Reply
  4. Sam says

    July 25, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    This so true. We struggled with meltdowns when my son was young and treated them like tantrums. If I had known the difference, it would have made a world of difference!

    Reply
  5. Barbara says

    July 27, 2016 at 11:15 am

    I’m trying to get the printable download and it does not show up when I enter my email address. It just says, “Thanks for subscribing.” Is there another way to get it?

    Reply
    • Lemon Lime Adventures says

      July 30, 2016 at 12:14 am

      Check your “spam”. Most of the time it hides out there. If you can’t find it, reply to the email you got and I can resend it.

      Reply

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Meet Dayna

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  • Today I had a photo shoot for an upcoming project that starts March 7th.
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This is a papa that loves his little girl. .
What appears to be a quick game of tic-tac-toe...
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He wasn’t hit by a football🏈
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He wasn’t being careless⁉️
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He didn’t step on them on accident 🤦🏻‍♀️
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He had a rough day at school (understatement)
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Today my son could NOT calm on his own. .
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Tonight we will connect and plan how to alter the results when he gets upset.
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What choices could he make differently?
What could he say? 
How could he calm himself next time? 
#itstartswithconnection #calmthechaos #parenting #autism #raisingsuperkids
  • Today I had a photo shoot for an upcoming project that starts March 7th.
.
At first thoughts of ... “I’m not cute enough. 
I’m not skinny enough.
My teeth aren’t white enough.” ... flooded my head.
.
And then I took a moment to celebrate the true wins.
.
I CAN smile again.
I DO have joy again.
I HAVE a lot to be excited about. .
Two years ago I couldn’t say those things honestly. .
So today... I celebrate the small wins, the big wins and the wins that are yet to come...
.
What can I celebrate with you?

#embraceadventure #calmthechaos #ctcwin #parenting #launchlife
  • A simple classic game. But so much opportunity for connection. 
What’s your favorite family game?
  • This is my date for Valentine’s day. 
At 13 I have to embrace every moment he would choose to have dinner with his mama. 
Every day might not be perfect but I choose to use moments like these to anchor me for when times get hard. 
How are you connecting today? 
#itstartswithconnection #raisingsuperkids #calmthechaos #autism #parenting
  • “Papa can you play with me?”
.
His response could have been ... Not right now...
I’m busy.

But instead ... he simply said ... Sure!
.
These two are like peas and carrots.
.
This is a little girl that loves her papa.
. 
This is a papa that loves his little girl. .
What appears to be a quick game of tic-tac-toe...
.
Is really just one of many examples of unconditional love.
. 
I get so much joy from watching their relationship grow and develop. 
5 minutes can make a huge difference. 
#itstartswithconnection #calmthechaos #raisingsuperkids #fatherdaughter
  • Today my son broke his glasses 👓
.
He wasn’t hit by a football🏈
.
He wasn’t being careless⁉️
.
He didn’t step on them on accident 🤦🏻‍♀️
.
No. He broke them because he was mad. 😡
.
He had a rough day at school (understatement)
.
They use a “seclusion room” when children are disregulated
.
Today my son could NOT calm on his own. .
He shared he went between screaming and throwing his glasses to try to get out...
😡
To crying on the floor thinking he’d never get out.
😭
This was the result. .
I could get mad that we have to get new glasses.
I could scold him for having a fit at school.
I could punish him for all the destruction.
.
Instead, I choose to connect with him.
. 
He’s been isolated enough and that didn’t end well.
.
Tonight we will connect and plan how to alter the results when he gets upset.
.
What choices could he make differently?
What could he say? 
How could he calm himself next time? 
#itstartswithconnection #calmthechaos #parenting #autism #raisingsuperkids

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