ADVERTISEMENT

When you're just a little bugger, almost everything can feel like the end of the world. I mean, just check out these 100 Ridiculous Reasons Why Kids Cry.

Temper tantrums range from whining and crying to screaming, kicking, hitting, and even breath-holding. They're equally common in boys and girls and usually happen between the ages of 1 to 3.

Bess Kalb, who is an American Emmy Award-nominated writer for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! television show and journalist with The New Yorker magazine, has a child who falls right into that category and wouldn't you know it, he also tends to overdramatize things.

Recently, Kalb turned to Twitter to share her 2-year-old son's devastation upon realizing his granola bar wrapper was pulled too low for his finer sensibilities. After the writer asked for prayers, other parents chimed in with the meltdowns and mayhem they have also experienced. Here are some of the most memorable ones.

Image credits: bessbell

Talya Stone, a former editor-in-chief turned parenting blogger and the woman behind Motherhood: The Real Deal and 40 Now What, says it's important to understand that even though the subject of our toddler's tantrum may seem totally ludicrous to us, all our toddlers want is to be heard and understood.

"As much as you [feel the need] to roll your eyes and reprimand them/mock them/respond with disbelief for their seemingly unjustifiable demands, the best thing you can do at that moment in time is to listen and empathize with their frustration," Stone told Bored Panda. "You will find that validating their feelings is a great shortcut to reducing the chances of or cutting short a tantrum."

RELATED:
    #2

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    poirot_sophie Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    May
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love these lists - they're even funnier when you don't have or want kids

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    According to experts, it's normal for kids to have tantrums both often and rarely — they're a normal part of development. It's how young children show that they're upset or frustrated.

    Tantrums may happen when kids are tired, hungry, or just uncomfortable in that particular situation. They can have a meltdown because they can't get something (like a toy) or someone to do what they want. Learning how to deal with emotions is a skill that children gain over time.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Toddlers want independence and control over their environment. Usually, more than they can handle. This can lead to power struggles as a child thinks 'I can do it myself' or 'I want it, give it to me.' When kids discover that they can't do it and can't have everything they want, they may have a tantrum.

    As you probably already realized from the tweets, tantrums are common during the second year of life, when language skills are starting to develop and toddlers can't yet explain through words what they want, feel, or need. As their language skills improve, tantrums tend to decrease.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    DenaPaolucci Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    AJ
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My ex went through similar experience when I once made him sandwiches for lunch....

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #7

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    jgilnish Report

    Here are some of the ways parents can help prevent tantrums from happening in the first place:

    • Give plenty of positive attention. Get in the habit of catching your kid being good. Reward your little one with praise and attention for positive behavior.
    • Try to give toddlers some control over little things. Consider offering minor choices such as "Do you want orange juice or apple juice?" or "Do you want to brush your teeth before or after taking a bath?" This way, you aren't asking "Do you want to brush your teeth now?" — which inevitably will be answered "no."
    • Keep off-limits objects out of sight and out of reach. This makes the possibility of struggles less likely. Of course, this isn't always possible, especially outside of the home where the environment can't be controlled.
    • Distract your child. Take advantage of your little one's short attention span and offer them something else in place of what they can't have. Start a new activity to replace the frustrating or forbidden one. Or simply change the environment. Take your toddler outside or inside or move to a different room.
    • Help kids learn new skills and succeed. Praise them to help them feel proud of what they can do. Also, start with something simple before moving on to more complex tasks.
    • Consider the request carefully when your child wants something. Is it outrageous? Maybe it isn't. Choose your battles.
    • Know your child's limits. If you know your toddler is tired, it's not the best time to go grocery shopping or try to squeeze in one more errand.
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Of course, every child and situation is different but personally, Talya Stone doesn't like ignoring tantrums, as she thinks this can make them worse. "I think intervening with a tantrum with empathy can make the situation better and diffuse a tantrum much more quickly than letting the tantrum ride itself out."

    "However, it's also important to let your child be upset as they have big feelings they need to process and tantrums their inbuilt pressure valve system of dealing with them," she added. "It may be that they still need time to regroup even after you have tried to help them process their frustrations."

    Again, temper tantrums are a normal, if frustrating, part of child development. On average, toddlers throw around one a day. Arm yourself with patience and good luck!

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    marcieaston Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kimi Tomminello
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    😂😂😂😂 I've seen mayhem like this play out at the playground with my kids before. I was one of the onlookers hysterically laughing while making periodic sympathetic eye contact with the parents. I woke the hubby up laughing at this one.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    sharonluvisi Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    May
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I have my sister's kids in the car, they tell me all the times she's committed some traffic violation. They are such narcs

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #16

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    evannejordan Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Legen ( wait for it ) dary
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My 3 y.o kid went to day care for a week with red nails in a spider man custom because he like it that way.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    MiAnFe4 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Legen ( wait for it ) dary
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My son was convinced that he gonna turn white soon because I smart ass kind of kid told him so. And show him that the process already started on his hands. Since he thinks my name is mama and I'm 100 years old, I didn't turn white until now. Smart ass Kid answered that it takes time.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    oma0977 Report

    #20

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    rmccown Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jo Johannsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a semi-serious question. I remember that as a kid, I ate hotdogs with ketchup. Suddenly one day I was using mustard, and the thought of using ketchup was disgusting. I now wonder how many other people did that?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    DebraBr81576310 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Patricia Healton
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brother would get mad if someone sat on "his" side of the car...even at the age of 52 years old.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    Colleen55762812 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Gin. No tonic
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still HATE wrinkles in my socks. I remove my shoes, if necessary, just to straighten the sock. Yes, I'm also 30 yrs old.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    TerriLou1978 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kimi Tomminello
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I, very greedily, ate a container full of crickets my dad was using a bait while fishing. I bit my mom so hard she bled when she tried to remove a cricket head from my mouth. Both of my parents and one of my brothers verified the story. Apparently crickets tasted very good to a 5 month old me 😂😂😂

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #28

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    LoveHabits Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kimi Tomminello
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Accidental 0 made it even funnier (our the lack of the word months, haven't figured that out)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #29

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    susankamppi Report

    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #31

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    zeena4kids Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    James Reed
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Raking is such a pain, leafblowers are fun for a minute, why not just stop the leaves from falling?

    #32

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    marinmaven Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kitty Kat
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As one of the preschoolers in my daycare would say, "You get and you get, and you don't throw a fish." (You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit.)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    greebly Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Dodo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know it's a joke but this reminds me of how emotional abuse works. The abuser won't remember because it's just a normal interaction for them, and/or not important. To the abusee, it's traumatic. (And before I get downvoted: I'm not saying this person is abusive at all, it's just interesting to see how things are remembered differently by different people)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #38

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    louisegable Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Dodo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder what the kid wanted it for, that's gonna be a gigantic bra

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #41

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    peffowlkes Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kimi Tomminello
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are not paid enough. And, please, somebody make sure they never run out of mac and cheese. This should never happen!!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #42

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    amynsamsmum Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    James Reed
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    May the masses weep and tear out their hair in pain and agony, their tears muddy the streets, flowing down in a river of grief.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #43

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    OCRose Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Beth L
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a reformed thumbsucker, I can testify that they are not interchangeable.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #44

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    KayKtbell58 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Hotdogking
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh god does he also ask for a cheeseburger without cheese in McDonald's as well

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #47

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    goldnecklace2 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #48

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    dragenfly75 Report

    #49

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    Via6Via Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jeannine Pope
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Serious time out for that one. Beginning of defiance issues if someone isn't careful.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #52

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    MoMom4000 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #54

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    j_a_evers Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Hotdogking
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I swear toddlers try to find anyway possible to kill themselves

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #55

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    dachshundmomgm1 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #57

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    WeirdAlRoker Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sivi
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I advice not to, trust me, some plants in the eyes are also not recommended. Lets just say we learned how short sighted I was already back then.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #59

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    JenniferAnn56 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kimi Tomminello
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I found asking the kiddo how THEY think it works and asking why is much more productive than stressing out about answering the question correctly. Half the time my kids just wanted to talk, they didn't really care about the answers I had.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #60

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    EileenB10257709 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kona Pake
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shudda got one of the grocery workers to put a price tag on his forehead.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #61

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    River_Goddess Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #66

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    PoliScIrish Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #70

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    mariafrawley Report

    #71

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    dja751 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Francine Govan
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    brown spots on pizza cheese are crispy! They're the absolute BEST! :P

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #73

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    llgb Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jeannine Pope
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Doughnut defiling IS a serious crime. I'm with your older son on this.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #74

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    AnnCoganMEd1 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ThatsBats
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel the same way with daughter, just with frozen Mac and cheese.

    #75

    Parents-Share-Hilarious-Situations-Devastated-Toddlers

    Tinamackay Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda