Tantrums in two-year-olds are not exactly fun for parents, but spare a thought for those parents whose fourand five-year-olds regularly attack the floor and even them.

Unlike the tantrums of a two-year-old that are usually short-lived affairs, an older child's tantrum is long lasting, louder and extraordinarily difficult to ignore. Long gone is the possibility of simply tucking the child under an arm and taking refuge in a discreet place. So what causes some children to have tantrums at an older age and what are a parent's options?

First, let's start with some basic principles. Few children enjoy having a tantrum. It is not something that gives them great pleasure and to my knowledge, few children plan their tantrums a day in advance. Tantrums can ruin a birthday party, destroy a day out and, if left unchecked, destabilise relationships in a family. In short, there are no winners. This means that for everybody's sakes, thought has to be given as to why your child has fallen into the pattern of this behaviour. The answer is often quite complex and will vary from family to family and even from child to child.

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