Why Do Toddlers Throw Tantrums and How Can Parents Truly Understand Them?

from MomDocTalk with Kristen Cook, MD · host Kristen Cook, MD

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen explores the challenging world of toddlers and preschoolers, explaining that tantrums and difficult behaviors stem from overwhelmed, still-developing brains rather than defiance or manipulation. Drawing from personal experiences, including her son Mason's restaurant meltdown and daughter Savannah's "I hate you" outburst, Kristen encourages parents to stay calm, seek connection over control, and understand the root causes behind their child's behavior. She reminds parents that imperfection is normal, comparisons are unhelpful, and these challenging phases are temporary.What you’ll learn:Understanding toddler and preschooler behaviorThe nature of temper tantrums and emotional dysregulationThe importance of maintaining calmness during challenging momentsStrategies for effective parenting and emotional connectionThe role of patience in managing difficult behaviorsThe impact of personal feelings on parenting responsesRecognizing that misbehavior is not a reflection of parenting qualityThe significance of understanding a child's unique temperamentThe temporary nature of challenging phases in childhoodThe deeper emotional rewards of parenthood despite difficultiesOrder My Book:Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them ThrivePodcast DisclaimerThe information presented in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for medical concerns. All of the opinions are of Dr. Kristen Cook and do not reflect the opinions of her employer nor the hospitals she is affiliated with. The authors and publishers of this podcast do not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or consequences of using the information provided.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!Get a copy of Kristen's Upcoming Book: Parenting Redefined HEREFollow Dr. Cook at: https://www.facebook.com/MomDocTalk/Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/https://twitter.com/momdoctalkhttps://www.tiktok.com/@momdoctalk_kcmd?lang=en

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 9, 2026

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