Appropriate age group(s):
Elementary School
Middle School

Description of technique for dealing with temper tantrums:
I discovered that my kids were more ratty and liable to 'blow up' when they come in from school tired and hungry. So I cut up some fruit or cake ready on the table for when they walk in from school. It's a quick snack to keep them going until dinner time.

Other suggestions or comments:
If the food is ready prepared you can immediately give the kids your full attention when they walk in, and they don't have to hang around the kitchen waiting for you to rustle something up.