The Worst Tantrum a Toddler Can Throw? An iPaddy

Have you ever seen a toddler throw an iPaddy?
 

 

Toddlers are amazing at lots of things – identifying colours (“red bus!”), counting to ten (mine can count to 15 and then it all goes wrong by way of 18 then 16 then 20), and reciting episodes of Peppa Pig (“Zuzu and Zaza crying!” – ten points to you if you know which episode that’s from).

But one thing they are super duper amazing at? Throwing a tantrum. They kick, they scream, they throw themselves to the ground, they lash out, they cry. Experts say it’s because they want to express themselves badly, but can sometimes can’t find the right words. The handy monthly email I got from Babycentre this month said, “At this age she’s still prone to a fair amount of pushing, yelling and throwing tantrums at the drop of a hat. When she’s upset, you can remind her that talking gets better results than yelling. Remember to praise her when she makes an effort to communicate with words.”

Which is all totally true, but sometimes it’s just because they want to do something and you’re saying NO. Which brings me to the phenomenon that is… the iPaddy.

iPaddy n. | iˈpædi |

  • an uncontrolled outburst of anger and frustration, typically in a young child, when a tablet is removed from their possession

 

This new generation of children will never know a world without touchscreen tablets. Our two-year-old’s first sentence each morning is usually either “Milk please Daddy” or “iPad! iPad! Please!” (I’m not even joking.) We regularly correct her when she says “My iPad” so when we try to take the iPad away from her (you know, at bedtime, mealtimes or bathtime), she has been known to throw an almighty iPaddy. Worse than a regular tantrum, because a toddler values the iPad so dearly, an iPaddy can have even the toughest parent quiver in their boots.

Recently, however, our toddler has worked out that throwing an iPaddy usually gets her nowhere fast. These days, she’s more likely to cover the off-switch with her hand and just smile one almighty cheeky smile at me. She’s not daft…

 

iPaddy, iPad tantrum

 

PSST! If you enjoy my blog, you might want to nominate me for a MAD Blog Award. ‘What the jiggins is a MAD Blog Award?’ you might ask. Now in its fourth year, the MAD Blog Awards are one of the UK’s biggest awards for mum and dad bloggers, celebrating the talent and dedication of parent bloggers. Nominations are being accepted until February 18th and you can nominate me over here on the MADs website. If I win I’ll buy you a wine.

 

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7 Comments

  1. February 3, 2013 / 10:23 pm

    The reality of the iPaddy really hit home this morning. Not even chocolate coins could put a stop to it. NOT EVEN CHOCOLATE COINS!

    • notanothermummyblog
      Author
      February 4, 2013 / 12:05 pm

      I hate it when the usual tricks of coaxing a toddler out of a tantrum doesn’t work. Try real coins! (Kidding.)

  2. Dina
    February 4, 2013 / 5:07 am

    Oh my gosh! I know! My 15 month old tends to have tablet/cell phone/computer keyboard/tv remote tantrums. I am so shocked at how upset he gets because it’s not like we don’t actively keep said objects away from him. He doesn’t care as soon as he gets his hands on them he is so happy but loses his mind and shouts no at us. Needless to say our electronics are finding their way on the top of higher and higher places in our home..

  3. February 4, 2013 / 9:46 am

    This sounds oh so familiar. Amy had a tantrum the other day because I didn’t let her on my laptop. What did she do? She kicked it off the table when I fetched a drink for her. She’s lucky that she’s so cute x

  4. February 4, 2013 / 2:16 pm

    Haha iPaddy!! I’m surprised our one is still working. It has been ‘attacked’ numerous times by our still very little angel (14 months). I have to hide if I want to get any writing done!

  5. February 5, 2013 / 9:26 am

    You are SO right. Except, in our house, it’s all about the iPhone, as we are iPad-less. I have to hide it now as she thinks it’s hers. Those tantrums could break the strongest parent! x

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