A tantrum can bring even the most competent parent to her knees in a matter of seconds. If your child is prone to tantrums, immediately ask yourself these questions so you know how to proceed:

1) Is he hungry? A couple of crackers and cheese may clear up 90% of the problem.

2) Is this a reaction to food? If he recently ate, consider whether this is a reaction to a food (such as a preservative). Remember that too much sugar (or carbohydrates that quickly turn into sugar in the bloodstream) can create headaches, wild behavior, and grumpiness. Try offering some milk or water and another snack that you know is "safe" and wait it out.

3) Is he too tired? Remember, his legs are 1/4 as long as yours -- and he moves twice as fast! Sometimes a toddler just needs some extra sleep. Being tired and cranky leads to tantrums (in all of us).

4) Are you rushing? Transitioning from one activity to another is a major developmental milestone for a toddler. Problems often arise during the transition, when little people are too rushed. If this happens, stop, sit for a little bit, and once the storm has passed you can both go on.

The five or ten minutes you use to triage the tantrum may save your whole day!

A few years ago, I'd tried everything:

...Time-outs that didn't work
...Ignoring bad behavior (which made me want to scream!)
...Blaming myself (and hearing my mother-in-law blame me, too)

Sound familiar?

Then one day, that was it. I'd had it. I searched on the internet and went to some of my favorite forums. I found one book that kept coming up again and again with favorable reviews.

The Good Child Guide, written by Dr. Noel Swanson, was that book. I felt I could identify with this guy, a parent himself, who had so much to say on the topic. His suggestions (in his free newsletter that I subscribed to right away) just made sense.

I ordered the e-book, and for a bit more I was also able to get it in an MP3 version, making it even more convenient. In about ten minutes I was into the book and planning my moves.

By the time I picked up my oldest daughter at school that day, I'd made a change in my parenting -- and I never looked back. Sure, there still are bumps in the road, but now I know exactly what to do. As the mother of three girls, I can't imagine a day without using at least one of the techniques I learned from Dr. Swanson.

Being a parent is the hardest job ever invented. You owe it to yourself to have a really effective way to handle toddler tantrums and child discipline -- something you can use anywhere, anytime.

If you need an effective book or MP3 on toddler tantrums, I strongly encourage you to learn more about the Good Child Guide book and MP3 (or sign up for Dr. Swanson's terrific free newsletter). Think about it... you won't have to be embarrassed in the mall or school parking lot ever again!