LilSugar

Wah! Wah! Wah! Temper Tantrums Deconstructed

Natasha Dantzig — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:07:00 PST

Head banging. Feet stomping. Screams at maximum volume and intensity. Any parent knows these are some of the telltale signs of a dreaded temper tantrum. While many parents have resigned themselves to dealing with this unpleasant, but perfectly normal part of toddlerhood, scientists studying the meltdowns may have found ways to empower parents to help their children through the episodes, rather than just praying for them to be over.

Published in the journal Emotion, the study found that tantrums aren't simply out of control, emotional meltdowns, but rather have specific rhythms and sounds that represent distinguishable feelings. Take the following quiz to see how your tantrum knowledge stacks up against the new research, and if there are better ways to cope with the dramatic fits.

Take the Quiz

Decode 7 Nonverbal Cues From Cats

PetSugar — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:44:02 PDT

Do you know what cats are saying . . . even though they can't talk? Even though kitties vocalize with purrs, meows, and more, check out this photo slideshow to interpret their feline language.

Help! My Dog Is a Jumper - and Weighs 90 Pounds

Pet Community — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:45:05 PST

Readers, OhMaxine needs our help with her overexcited pup!

My dog is a jumper . . . and weighs 90 lbs! Ouch! Any advice for a husky/shepherd mix that is now 1.5 years old? She is a female and was the largest out of her puppy litter. She is the sweetest girl. She gives kisses all the time, loves people of all ages, and other dogs. She is very passive and surrenders when she has been attacked by another dog. I'm not sure what to do! Help!

See, she loves to play and loves everyone! (she is bigger now than in this picture)

Got any helpful advice? Leave it in comments, and share your own animal quandary in the Pet Peeves group! Your question might end up on PetSugar.

PetSugar Q+A: Does Not Play Well With Others...

Pet Community — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 06:00:48 PDT

Oh no! Read this problem submitted by PetSugar reader justshearpassion in the PetSugar Q + A group before offering your tips:

I really don't know what to do! I have a three-year-old mini doxie and she does not like other dogs. I have tried taking her to the dog park and having her hang around my brother's new dog but she either snaps at them or gets as far away from them as she possibly can. I am also afraid of how she might be around children, which I would eventually like to have and I would like to resolve this problem before then. The snapping and growling mostly happens with dogs that are bigger than her and if there are dogs that are about her size or smaller, she just hops onto my lap to get away from them. Any suggestions?

Help a pup (and owner) out! Share your product recommendations in comments, then submit your own burning pet questions in the forum, too.

Source: Flickr User Billa

Hop to It and Stop Doggone Jumping With These Tricks

PetSugar — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:00:22 PDT

Is your pet a leaping lizard, errrr, dog? My lil guy loves hopping up for stranger kisses, and it's something we're constantly working on since he doesn't do this to me. If I have company over, my friends all know the training method I use:

Grabbing his paws! When a dog jumps up, gently grasp his paws and hold them firmly in place. While at first most pups won't care, when you don't let go, chances are they'll get more uncomfortable, struggle, and try to get away. When this happens, say "off" or "down" (depending on the word you favor) and let go. Immediately follow this by asking him to sit and rewarding when he follows through. Repeat this process every time your dog jumps up.

Learn two more commonly accepted methods to limit jumping when you

Stop 6 Communication Breakdown Signals For Dogs

PetSugar — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:00:34 PDT

While there may be no proof that your pet can understand English exactly, it's clear that dogs react to tone and intonation as well as your gestures and motion around the house. Check out six things you've likely done at least once in the past, and get some tips to remedy the canine confusion.

Do You & Your Tot Apologize to Keep Peace at the Playground?

LilSugar — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:00:29 PDT

No mom wants her child to be considered the "punk" of the playground, but does that pressure lead to a lot of unnecessary apologies? So many personalities and parenting styles converge in the sandbox that there's bound to be someone who shakes things up. To keep the calm between adults and children, do you ever (or ask your tot to) say sorry for something when it's not really warranted?

No Entourage, Do Only Children Get Bullied More?

LilSugar — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:42:25 PDT

When your wee one hits the playground, who has his back? A mother of one recently told me that her sweet 13-month-old daughter has been bullied at the park, even by kindergartners. Thinking back, I remembered my girl being knocked out of the slide line and having sand thrown in her eyes on a couple of occasions. Then my son was born and things changed because when my daughter sat in the sandbox, she had a sidekick. No one messes with my littlest guy since he's got an entourage in his two older siblings. Do bullies spare brothers and sisters and target only children?

Source: Flickr User Ken Wilcox

Tell Mommy: What's the Sassiest Thing Your Child's Ever Said?

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:00:00 PDT

Kids say the darndest things - some sweet, some mind boggling, some infuriating, and some downright sassy.

A friend who doesn't have children recently called me cracking up after hearing an exchange between a mother and a 3- or 4-year-old at the grocery store. The little girl was listing all the things she wanted to buy and the mom said, "You just want everything you can think of!" The girl looked up her and kindly - but oh-so-smartly - said, "I'm thinking about a cloud. They don't sell clouds." The mom? "You got me."

Once children begin developing a sense of humor - and ability to argue a point - parents are privy to cheeky comebacks daily. It's near impossible for me to keep a straight face when my kids shoot me a tilted look and clever remark, but I can't laugh when I'm on serious mom patrol. What's the absolute sassiest thing your child has ever spat at you?

The Protocol For Baby Booms in Friend Groups

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:00:35 PST

It's hard not to get excited when the majority of your friends' bellies start to pop, but it's important to stay mindful of the ladies in your inner circle who aren't expecting. Whether the women aren't at that point in their lives or are opting out of childbearing all together, make sure they don't feel left out.
Dos

Be honest. Don't down play your enthusiasm of entering motherhood on her behalf because it just makes things awkward.
Just because your friend doesn't have children doesn't mean she doesn't love spending time with your youngster - include her in all the activities that you invite your mommy friends to. She's free to opt out.
Take advantage of your time away from your lil ones to partake in adult activities with her -sports, spa treatments, girls' weekends, etc.
If she's celebrating all your family's festivities, return the favor and make a lot of hoopla when she hits milestones - job promotions, birthdays or an engagement.

Don'ts

Don't surprise her with a group announcement. A big "we're pregnant" alienates the odd one out.
Unless she broaches the subject, don't bring up her biological clock.
Vow to engage in more "kid-free" conversations.
Don't become a kid-centric snob - someone who is so absorbed in her mom life that they don't think they have anything in common with their old friends anymore.
Don't talk about how easy it was for you to get pregnant if you know she is still trying.

Feel free to add your own dos and don'ts!