You’re standing in the living room, your 1-year-old is lying on the floor, face scrunched, tears flowing, tiny fists pounding the ground. All because… you wouldn’t let them chew on your phone charger.
Now you’re wondering:
“Should I ignore this tantrum?”
Or do you hug it out? Redirect? Cry a little with them?
First, take a deep breath—and know this:
You’re not alone.
Every toddler has tantrums. Every parent wonders what to do. And no, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but there is gentle wisdom to guide you.
🌪️ What’s Really Happening During a Tantrum?
At 1 year old, your child is still figuring out:
- Their emotions
- Their environment
- Their independence
- Their need for safety
They’re feeling big things in a tiny body with no words to explain it. So when something doesn’t go their way (a toy taken, a snack denied, a shoe put on the “wrong foot”), they explode—not because they’re “naughty,” but because they’re overwhelmed.
Tantrums at this age are not manipulation. They’re communication—without the language.
🤷♀️ So, Should You Ignore It?
Short answer: Not completely.
Long answer: It depends how you ignore it.
Let’s be clear:
Ignoring doesn’t mean walking away cold, pretending your child isn’t upset.
What you should ignore is the behavior—not the child behind it.
💡 What to Do Instead: Gentle Ignoring + Loving Support
Here’s a better way to handle 1-year-old tantrums that won’t make your child feel abandoned, but will help them self-regulate:
1. Stay Calm and Present
Even if you’re not actively comforting, your calm presence is reassuring. Sit nearby, make eye contact, and show that you’re available when they’re ready.
“I see you’re really upset. I’m right here.”
2. Ignore the Drama, Not the Distress
Don’t reward the screaming by giving in to demands, but don’t punish their feelings either. Let them feel what they feel—without shaming or reacting with anger.
3. Offer Comfort When They’re Ready
Some 1-year-olds calm faster with hugs. Others need space to let it out first. Read their cues. You’re not giving in—you’re guiding.
4. Name the Emotion
Help them make sense of their big feelings.
“You’re mad because you wanted more cookies. That’s okay to feel upset.”
This plants seeds of emotional intelligence—even if they don’t understand the words yet.
5. Redirect and Move On
Once the storm passes, gently shift their focus.
“That was hard. Want to play with the blocks now?”
No lectures. No guilt. Just reset.
🚫 What Not to Do:
- Don’t yell – it only adds fuel to the fire.
- Don’t shame them – phrases like “Stop being dramatic” can hurt trust.
- Don’t give in mid-tantrum – it teaches them tantrums work to get what they want.
🧠 The Bigger Picture: What You’re Really Teaching
By calmly “ignoring” the tantrum behavior—while still showing emotional support—you’re teaching your child:
- Emotions are okay
- They won’t be abandoned when they’re upset
- Meltdowns aren’t a tool to control others
- They can recover and return to calm
In other words, you’re not just surviving tantrums.
You’re raising a future adult who knows how to handle emotions with strength and grace.
❤️ Final Thoughts: You’re Not Ignoring—You’re Guiding
If your 1-year-old is losing it over bedtime, snack limits, or the heartbreaking injustice of not being allowed to eat rocks—it doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent.
It means you’re raising a little human who’s learning, feeling, and growing.
So the next time you ask, “Should I ignore this tantrum?”—remember this:
Ignore the noise. Love the child. Guide the moment.
That’s what truly matters.
