Embracing a Life of Gratitude While Dealing with Toddler Tantrums

Welcome back to the next part of “Embracing a Life of Gratitude”! I believe that gratitude does not always come naturally and sometimes we need to be deliberate about looking for it. An example: while dealing with toddler tantrums!

Toddler tantrums can be stressful and often times they appear to have no reason or purpose whatsoever!

This post is NOT about the best way of dealing with toddler tantrums, but rather to encourage you to find and keep your joy while you are in the middle of this trying season of life.

Contents hide

1 How Can We Possibly Find Gratitude While Dealing with Toddler Tantrums??

1.1 Children are a Heritage from the Lord

1.2 More Bible Verses about Children Being a Blessing

1.3 Funny Tantrum Quotes to Help You Find Comfort when Dealing with Toddler Tantrums

2 Embracing a Life of Gratitude while Dealing with Toddler Tantrums

How Can We Possibly Find Gratitude While Dealing with Toddler Tantrums??

I can see you tired mamas rolling your eyes at me. How can we possibly find gratitude while dealing with toddler tantrums?

I know this is a trying season. I have memories of dragging a screaming toddler out of the library while carrying an infant in the other arm.

When my Rebekah was two she insisted on pulling all the dvds off of the shelves at the video rental store and the only way to make her stop was to pick her up. She screamed and cried and turned herself upside down while I held her tight and patiently browsed the new releases. I’m pretty sure we didn’t end up with a movie that day!

Children are a Heritage from the Lord

I know, I know, the last thing you want me to tell you when you are frustrated with your difficult little person is that children are a heritage from the Lord BUT it’s true!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
⁵Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5 NKJV)

The fruit of the womb is his reward or a reward from God. He gives children, not as a penalty nor as a burden, but as a favor.

The best way to find gratitude is to look for the blessing in the frustration. I guess you could say “the silver lining” if we want to get cliche.

Your biggest blessing is really the child screaming his or her head off in front of you.

Listen to the heart of a grieving mother. Every morning I wake up without my daughter. I would do anything to have her back. Be thankful that your child is safe with you. No matter how frustrating parenting can be, your child is alive. This alone should fill your heart with gratitude.

More Bible Verses about Children Being a Blessing

When we are in the midst of parenting frustrations, it is easy to get caught up in the moment. We’ve begun this hormonal preteen stuff with my 12 year old that seriously has me wishing for the toddler days again. Attitude tries my patience way more than tantrums!

Just to help you refocus and refresh your worn-out spirit, here are more Bible verses about children being a blessing.

“Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” (Mark 9:37)

Sure, Jesus wasn’t dealing with a fussy, highly opinionated toddler all day, but he knew there was something special about children. When we focus on what is innocent and beautiful about our little people, it is easier to ride through the less than beautiful moments.

Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father. (Proverbs 17:6)

“the crown of old men” this is for you grandparents!

“He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 113:9)

Ya, no mention of dealing with toddler tantrums in these verses, but gratitude comes when we look past our present situation.

Fresh Grace for Today has more perfect verses to calm your frustrated spirit!

Funny Tantrum Quotes to Help You Find Comfort when Dealing with Toddler Tantrums

Sometimes gratitude needs humor to kickstart it! Believe me, you are not alone in dealing with toddler tantrums. The funny thing is that when I first had the idea to look for quotes to help you see the humor in the midst of your frustration, I found mostly quotes about adults throwing tantrums! Let’s hope you aren’t dealing with that too!

“Today’s Parenting Tip: Treat a difficult child the way you would your boss at work. Praise his achievements, ignore his tantrums and resist the urge to sit him down and explain to him how his brain is not yet fully developed.” Robert Breault

“Ellen had long ago stopped being embarrassed by temper tantrums. She flipped it and wore it like a badge of honor. A temper tantrum was a sign that a mom said no when it counted.” -Lisa Scottoline (this one is my favorite!)

“At one point, she’d wanted to hurl the whole breakfast at the wall. And then she’d remember why it was that men had temper tantrums and women didn’t: cleanup.” -Kristin Hannah

“As a kid, I’d go into the bathroom when I was having a tantrum. I’d be in the bathroom crying, studying myself in the mirror. I was preparing for future roles.” -Adam Sandler