Taming the tantrums

Out of all five of my children, my youngest is the one that just refuses to give up the Terrible Two's (she's five). It doesn't help that her best little friend in the world is also a great fit-thrower. They are professionals. They give conferences to other Kindergarteners. I'm waiting for the book deal to emerge.

So, Skittles have become my friend. Well, that and little baby candy bars. You see, every time the five-year-old starts with the crying and wailing, out comes the candy! As I hand over a little somethin'-somethin' to my other children, I smile and say, "You deserve a special treat for having to listen to something so stressful." They are also kind enough to thank their sister for the candy break, and with much enthusiasm.

After the third tantrum-induced candy party, my little fit-thrower decided to call it quits. Granted, about a month later she decided to give it another go. Before I could even get the bag out of the cabinet, she had stopped (knowing that the bigger the fit, the more the Skittles!).

I wanted to wait before I posted, to see how this played out. Yet, here we are. It has totally worked for us.