From one mom to another, hang in there, there is hope, and there is ALWAYS a reason for every tantrum out there. That’s what you will gain here; hope and understanding, and all the love from a mom who truly gets it. – Wendy Bertagnole
When Wendy Bertagnole sent me her brand new book, Taming Tantrums, I couldn’t wait to dive in. She’s a mama who has been in the trenches with her own family, and can speak with genuine wisdom and experience. She also has degrees in Early Childhood Development and Special Education, so she analyzes her family’s behaviour struggles in a way that’s sensitive and developmentally appropriate.
As I read, I felt really connected to her experience as a mother who had pristine ideals about who she would be, and struggled hard to meet her own standards.
She shares personal stories, and relates important behavioural strategies in a really sweet and imaginative way.
She writes:
Parents are like nurturers, like gardeners who plant seeds, spend hours watering and then worry about the tiny little plants that will soon grow to their full potential. But, before the plants emerge, a few weeds pop up, destroying the perfect image of the gardener, The gardener becomes embarrassed of the weeds in the garden he worked so hard to grow. In frustration, he goes out and trims them all down the ground level, invisible to anyone who passes by. Although his garden looks perfect for the moment, in reality, it is full of all the same weeds he began with, they are just below the surface.
If you are interested in digging below the surface and finding out what is really happening with your children, I would encourage you to read this book. Wendy describes a gentle and insightful approach to responding to your child as tantrums start to erupt. She also shares simple and easy-to-use strategies for problem-solving and preventing tantrums from happening in the first place.
Here’s the link again if you want to check out this resource from a smart, compassionate mama (plus a helpful workbook)!