We got custody of GS10 in the middle of his kindergarten year. His moods fluctuated so wildly, his k teacher said it was almost like he had bipolar, but each extreme was hit multiple times a day. He had extenuating circumstances beyond being gifted, or maybe those gifted characteristics played a part of the extenuating circumstances. Anyway, with help he has gotten much better at controlling the ups & downs, temper tantrums, meltdowns, pouts, etc.
I also think getting into drama last year helped him tap into his dramatic abilities and helped him learn appropriate outlets for those feelings.
Oh, one other thing that saved my sanity during those years was my mantra: "Do not engage"! If DC is having a tantrum, pouting, whining, screaming, whatever behavior not appropriate for the situation, then my reaction had to be "Do not engage!" I think the key thing to remember is to determine if the behavior is appropriate or not. Appropriate sadness or anger should be met with acknowledgement, sympathy, etc., and a way to come out of those feelings in time.
