Mrs K
Tantrums: Not Just for Toddlers
Let’s be real—temper tantrums don’t disappear with age. They just evolve. Toddlers may throw themselves on the floor in Target, kicking and screaming because they can’t have the Paw Patrol gummies. But adults? Oh, we’ve perfected a quieter, sneakier version of the same meltdown.
We call it *being overwhelmed,* *burned out,* or my personal favorite: *“I’m fine.”* But the truth? We’re out here throwing tantrums with the best of them.
Think about it:
Kids cry when their toy breaks.
Adults cry when the Wi-Fi drops mid-Zoom and the little rainbow wheel of doom starts spinning.
Kids stomp their feet because bedtime came too soon.
Adults stomp through the kitchen when we realize we forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer… again.
Our tantrums might not involve lying face-down in the grocery aisle. Still, they include slamming the dishwasher a little too hard, muttering at the self-checkout machine, or giving the “silent treatment” to an inanimate object like the car that won’t start. (Sometimes ignoring the problem *does* feel like a solution.)
The funniest part? Toddlers recover faster. They scream, cry, nap, and bounce back to dancing in the living room. Adults stew for three business days, text their best friend for therapy, and suddenly find themselves Googling “how to start life over at 45.”
And don’t even get me started on snack tantrums. Toddlers lose it if their sandwich is cut the wrong way. Adults? We’re one empty bag of chips away from unraveling civilization. “WHO ATE THE LAST COOKIE!” (Spoiler: it was us, last night, and we forgot.)
Here’s the thing: tantrums are just part of being human. Whether you’re 2 or 42, life throws curveballs—and sometimes you’ve gotta stomp it out. The real difference is that toddlers get naps built into their schedule. Adults get caffeine, deadlines, and stress wrinkles. Tell me again who’s winning?
So maybe the lesson here is this: give yourself some grace when the tantrum sneaks up—whether it’s your kid throwing LEGOs across the room or you muttering at your laptop for the 12th time today. You’re human. Tantrums are basically proof that you care.
And maybe, just maybe, the cure isn’t another cup of coffee. It’s the same as it’s always been: a snack and a nap.
