My older one used to have tantrums and misbehave. He was competing for attention with his younger brother who is 7 months old. We didn’t know very well how to manage it. Now, I spend time with him just being present as you have suggested. I have observed that he is now calmer. His tantrums are now very rare and he is showing more affection for his little brother.
My mother-in-law is visiting us, and she doesn’t know that I’m doing this. Today she came and said, “I’m noticing the kid (the older one) is calmer, haven’t you? Has something happened? Maybe he is growing up.” 🙂
Gabriela Pena, US