Tantrums are one of those parenting moments that catch almost every family off guard — the shouting, the flailing, the sudden meltdown in the middle of the supermarket. If you’re dealing with tantrums on a regular basis, you’re not alone, and there’s good news: small changes to how you respond can make a big difference.
In this short video, parenting coach Val Mullally shares clear, practical advice on dealing with tantrums — including why some of the most common go-to strategies parents use can actually make things worse, and what to do instead.
Val Mullally is a parenting expert and author who works with families to build calmer, more connected homes. In this video, she talks through why certain reactive strategies for tantrums don’t serve your child well in the long run, and what genuinely helps both you and your child in the moment.
Why Some Common Tantrum Strategies Don’t Work
It’s natural to want a quick fix when your child is mid-meltdown, but Val explains that reaching for control or punishment in the heat of the moment often escalates things rather than calming them. Instead, she encourages parents to focus on connection first — understanding what’s driving the behaviour before trying to manage it.
Want More From Val Mullally?
If this video was useful, Val has written more on the topic in her article 5 Mistakes Not to Make When Dealing with Toddler Tantrums, which digs deeper into the specific missteps parents often make — and simple ways to avoid them.
You can also visit Val’s website at www.koemba.com, follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/koemba, or on Twitter at twitter.com/valmullally.
Val’s Online Parenting Course: Behave
For parents who want to go further, Val also runs an online parenting course called Behave, which covers:
- How to handle your child’s challenging behaviour
- Why punishment doesn’t work — and why discipline does
- Practical parenting tools to create a calmer, happier home
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Val Mullally?
Val Mullally is a parenting coach and author who specialises in helping parents build calmer, more connected relationships with their children, including how to approach tantrums and challenging behaviour.
What does Val Mullally’s video cover?
The video shares tips for dealing with tantrums, including why some commonly used strategies aren’t good for your child, and what approaches genuinely help in the moment.
Where can I find more advice from Val Mullally?
You can read her follow-up article on mistakes to avoid with toddler tantrums, visit her website at koemba.com, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter for more parenting tips.
What is the Behave online course about?
Behave is Val Mullally’s online parenting course covering how to handle challenging behaviour, why discipline works better than punishment, and practical tools for a calmer home.
More Parenting Support
Looking for more real-world parenting tips like these? Browse more advice and videos on tantrums, discipline and family life from our parenting contributors — there’s always something useful for whatever stage you’re at.
Did you find this video helpful? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to hear how you handle tantrums in your house.
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