Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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FANTASY LAND — Daniel is angry, so angry that he’s folding his arms and turning his back to the world.
He’s had enough with the park and his friends and just everything, apparently.
But the thing about Daniel is that he’s a toddler. And when a toddler gets angry, you may find yourself running for cover. There are crocodile tears, screams, yells, incoherent babbling, snot bubbles, body flailings and sometimes even pounding of heads and fists on the ground.
It’s a stereotype that we’ve all experienced either as a caregiver or as an innocent bystander (Have you ever been trapped in public transportation with a tantruming child? It’s “fun.”)
The remarkable thing about this featured video is that Daniel defies all stereotypes we all hold fast in our bosoms. This baby boy is the calmest angry toddler you may ever see. In fact, you may find that Daniel's coping skills are better than many adults'.
Here’s what Daniel’s doing right: First, he speaks his anger out loud. Sure, his voice is raised, but it’s still a simple expression of anger. Second, he uses a 4-second meditation (with the help of mom) to calm down.
It feels like the results are a parent’s dream come true in the land of fantasy. Magical anger management, if you will.
For your convenience, the following is a transcription of the meditation; you know, just in case you wish to use it with any angry toddlers (or adults) in your acquaintance. “When you feel so mad and you want to roar, take a deep breath ... and count to four.”
