The school mums meant well, but I really needed them to stop talking, They couldn't stop my daughter's tantrum - here's what worked instead. I was eager to collect my 7-year-old daughter from school. I’d dropped her off that morning with her swimming bag packed. She’d prepared her swimsuit, towel and goggles days ago, ready to swim with her class for the first time. As I waited by the school gates, I watched her coming towards me. She didn’t look as animated as I thought she would be - a bit wet and bedraggled, and not happy.

It's 5 minutes before we have to leave for school.  The kids don’t have their shoes on, the sun-cream is not applied, and my daughter’s hair looks a mess. AGHHHHH. And here it is.  This. is. the. fork in the road. It’s our own reactions that make all the difference to how this situation unfolds. I give a 5-minute warning. And no response from my daughter. At least my son is busy putting his shoes on. I find my daughter trying to watch a YouTube video, even though we have a no-screen-before-school-rule.

  I sat at the table while my strong-willed toddler let out an enormous screech. We were having lunch at a local café and after a short while she wanted up out of her seat. I leaned in close and offered a few calming words to try and get her to sit a bit longer. It didn’t work. She screeched even louder. My cheeks turned red as the other customers gawped at this unfolding power struggle.

How to deal with toddler meltdowns when you're out and about

    Life during lockdown can feel chaotic. Our kids are addicted to their screens, we’re physically and emotionally worn out trying to juggle it all, then throw bickering kids into the mix and your head’s ready to explode. No wonder we’ve had enough and can feel very raw and emotional. So, what are some things we can do to positively affect the mood in our homes?