the kid's meltdown: what do you do?

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If we're at home and I can't get my son to go to his room during a meltdown, I move myself to another place. If he follows me and is ranting or lashing out, I try talking with him since he seems to want something from me. Sometimes I can't help him though (like being unable to help him win his video game) and I have to just quietly wait it out.

I wish I knew the answer. I think once he develops better communication skills, frustration tolerence and self-control, this will resolve naturally.

in a way, it's hard to tell you what to do...every child is different. for awhile, my son reacted well to being held tightly until he calmed down...then, it was almost as if someone flipped a switch, and he couldn't stand being touched ! we've had to change methods over the years. sometimes, just getting him into a quiet space helps ( sometimes his tantrums are due to sensory overload & anxiety because he feels "trapped"). ..i'll give you just one example of how we've had to adjust to the tantrums based on each event~ we went to a museum , thinking that it wouldn't be crowded & would be quiet...LOL! ..it was a vacation day, and there were people EVERYWHERE !
at first, son was ok...once he realized just how crowded it was, that was a different story. first, he squattted in one of the exhibits in the corner & began rocking back and forth....then the fingers go in the ears. i tried to get him to a quiet place ( the lunchroom was empty because it was still early)...he wouldn't move. we stayed in that exhibit room until he felt ok to leave...then we tried to eat an early lunch...i guess everyone else was thinking the same thing..the room was crowded..son wouldn't sit in line, but i was able to get him to a table by the windows. my hubby sat with him & talked to him to help calm him down ( son says looking out the window helped him to calm down also).finally, we ended up early because it was just too much....sure, the others were disappointed, but what can you do ?