Tips for Handling When Your Child Gets Upset and Shakes the Table

Now, let me tell ya, when a boy’s upset, especially if he’s small, it’s like he’s got a storm brewin’ inside. One minute, he’s sittin’ there playin’ with his toys, and the next, he’s slammin’ his little fists on the table, shakin’ the whole thing like he’s out to knock the legs right off. Poor thing don’t mean no harm, just don’t know what to do with all them big feelings in that little body. It’s a lot, ya know?

Why Kids Get Upset and Shake the Table

Now, a lot of folks don’t get why little ones do things like bangin’ on tables when they’re mad. But truth be told, it’s part of how some kids start showin’ their frustrations. They’re too young to use words all proper like us grown-ups, so their bodies start doin’ the talkin’. Sometimes, that’s a foot stompin’, sometimes a hand slappin’, and sometimes, well, that table’s gotta pay for it!

See, them kids, they got what folks call “big emotions,” but without knowin’ how to handle ‘em. Imagine ya feelin’ somethin’ so big and not havin’ a single way to say it right. That’s how it is for these little fellas. They just know they’re feelin’ somethin’, but they don’t know what to do with it.

Signs Your Boy Might Be Upset or Overwhelmed

• He gets real fidgety, maybe shakin’ his legs or rockin’ back and forth.
• Starts makin’ noises like hummin’ or maybe even screamin’ a bit louder than usual.
• He covers his ears, like sound is botherin’ him.
• Yells or bangs stuff, especially when he don’t get his way.

Now, don’t go thinkin’ every boy who shakes a table or starts yellin’ has somethin’ wrong with him. That ain’t it! Kids just don’t know how to talk ‘bout what’s botherin’ ’em, so they shake things up instead. Could be he’s scared, or frustrated, or just plain tired. They ain’t learned how to deal with these feelin’s yet, bless their little hearts.

Ways to Help Your Boy Calm Down When He’s Upset

Here’s a few tricks I seen work, might not fix every boy, but they sure can help:

• Give ’em somethin’ to squeeze: Put a soft ball or pillow in them little hands. Squeezin’ somethin’ soft lets ’em push out some of that anger without knockin’ the table clean over.
• Talk real soft: Ya get down on his level, talk quiet, like you’re whisperin’. Ain’t no need to yell; the softer you talk, the calmer he’ll feel.
• Show him how to breathe: Countin’ to five real slow, breathin’ deep—gets their mind off the mad and onto the breathin’. Sometimes ya gotta do it with him till he calms down.
• Give ’em a little space: Sometimes, kids just need a minute to calm their own selves down. Stand back, let ‘em be, and after a bit, they might be feelin’ a tad better.

When Shakin’ the Table Means Somethin’ Bigger

Now, if ya start noticin’ your boy shakin’ the table every time somethin’ don’t go his way, it might be worth lookin’ into a bit more. Some kids got what them experts call “sensory issues,” meanin’ they feel things stronger than most. So a loud noise or a big room full of people? Could set ’em off right quick.

Or maybe ya notice he’s always fiddlin’, movin’, rockin’ back and forth like he’s tryin’ to calm himself. Some boys, that’s how they handle their nerves. They call it “stimming” or movin’ in ways that make ’em feel better. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with it; it’s just how they are. But if it gets to where he’s always upset or strugglin’ in loud places, ya might wanna talk to a doctor just to get some help.

What To Do When He Gets All Worked Up in Public

Now, I know it’s hard when your boy’s throwin’ a fit in front of folks. Everybody lookin’, judgin’, wonderin’ why ya can’t “control your kid.” But truth is, ya just gotta breathe yourself and not worry none about them onlookers. Focus on your boy, not on folks lookin’. Maybe give him somethin’ to hold, distract him, or do that deep breathin’ thing till he calms down a bit. Ain’t nobody walkin’ in your shoes, so don’t fret none about their opinions.

Stay Patient, He’ll Grow Out of It

At the end of the day, he’s just a boy learnin’ how to handle them big feelings in a small body. Could take time, but he’ll get there. Patience is key, along with plenty of love. Just know that even if he’s shakin’ tables now, it don’t mean he’ll be doin’ it forever. And someday, you’ll look back, and the memory of that little storm will make ya smile.

Tags：[child behavior, calming techniques, sensory issues, emotional regulation]