We had a minor breakthrough after reading a book about emotions in children with our daughter. In a very playful and colourful way the book explains how minor annoyances for small children can have a runaway effect. Unfortunately the book "Mia und die Motzmöhre" (lit. Mia and the sulking carrot) is only available in German. I'm sure there must be similar works in other languages as well and it's perhaps worth a try - what's the worst that could happen?

Every time our daughter now starts spiralling we ask her if she has a sulking carrot. That takes her out of the spiral surprisingly often.

Anywho: happy mother's day!