Why don't we face it, kids will be kids and they can't perhaps always be pleased with every single decision that is made for them. Even from a really young age, a kid realizes that he/she is, actually, a real person, with feelings, thoughts and emotions. This often leads to them looking to do things their own way, making their own choices, or just not seeking to do as they are told.
Here is a scenario: your child is sitting happily playing with building bricks, or even playing on a game console, completely engulfed in his or her own world, and it's time for dinner. You ask your child to drop what they are doing there and then, to tidy up quickly, to leave their 'happy place' and come eat. Your kid refuses to do as requested, wondering why
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You get rid of the toys/games quickly and the volcano erupts! Your child is hurling a full-blown tantrum!
Now, let's re-create the scenario: As before, your son or daughter is sitting happily playing and you are about to begin making dinner. You give the child fair warning that playtime will be ending quickly, in say 5-10 minutes, and that they will then have to put their things away in order that they can assist you to make dinner.
Stick to your time-frame and get the things put away (help if you're needed), and include your son or daughter in the dinner-making. According to your child's age, this may be anything from wiping the table to boiling potatoes or even carving the meat. (Okay, so we may not have huge set meals every day, but you get the idea).
Wow! You simply avoided a major tantrum! Your son or daughter is involved and happy, you're happy and non-stressed! Well Done You!
You can do this type of thing with nearly any scenario. Turn it around from something negative i.e. taking out child from 'happy place' and replacing in 'upset place', to moving child from one happy place to another. You just have to make sure that your child knows ahead of time that something other than what they are doing at this time will quickly be