hannah's mommy

I have a 5 year old as well, and she was prone to tantrums with my husband (her step-father). They get along fantastically, and are crazy about each other, but if it was his day to take her to school there was always a tantrum. We think it had something to do with an interruption in her routine, not him, simply because they usually have no problems with each other.

We will usually say something along the lines of "Oh, Hannah, I am so sad for you that you are acting this way. I am so sad, because now we will need to think of a consequence for you. I don't really know what it will be yet, but don't worry, I will think of something. It just makes me so sad, because I know that you know how to act like a big girl." I use my very sympathetic and understanding voice. The first few times it won't stop the tantrum. And, when Hannah wants to do such-and-such later that day, I will just say, "Oh, Hannah, I am so sorry to tell you, but we just can't do that today, because I'm afraid that I really just can't do this with someone who throws temper tantrums like you did this morning. Maybe we can do this another time." And then, yes, there will be another temper tantrum. After this cycles through a few times they will stop - as long as you provide consequences!

P.S. I think that what you did with the seatbelt was great!