If you are the parent of a toddler or preschooler, chances are you know a thing or two about tantrums. While those epic meltdowns can certainly be part of "normal" toddler behavior, they are still maddening, stressful, and exhausting--for everyone involved. What can you do to keep your cool and help your child calm down? Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, child psychologist and mother of two, has a unique understanding of both the science behind tantrums and what works in the heat of the moment to nip blowups in the bud.

1. "You haven't seen a tantrum until you've seen my toddler's tantrums" -- 2. "Really? This is what your going to melt down over?" -- 3. "What's going on in that curious little mind?" -- 4. "Why can't I handle this?" -- 5. "Maybe if things were just a little bit less crazy on the home front" -- 6. "Of course you'll always be my sweet little baby" -- 7. "Who's making the rules here?" -- 8. "Ok. But. Now. What. Exactly. Should. I. Do?" -- 9. "Am I making things worse?" -- 10. "Please just go to sleep already!" -- 11. "How many times can we order pizza for dinner?" -- 12. "A tantrum is quite possibly the last thing I need right now.".