The PE star took to Instagram to share some honest parenting truths and urged parents to do THIS next time a child makes you want to scream.

Joe Wicks has offered a piece of wisdom when it comes to diffusing toddler tantrums – and he's urged ALL parents to try it, saying it works '9 out of 10 times'.

Whilst with his family on holiday in the Maldives, Joe, 37 took to his Instagram stories to answer some parenting questions, when he delivered the gem.

A follower asked him about the 'idyllic' snaps he shares on the social media platform and if it was always like that, to which the fitness guru replied:

'The moments I share are calm, peaceful, lovely in the flow moments.

'The constant arguments and bickering between Indie and Marley is not something you want to see lol unless you want an instant headache.'

The dad-of-three, who shares Indie, four, Marley, two and newborn Leni with wife Rosie, 31, explained:

'Parenting two kids under 5 is graft where ever you are in the world but yeah most nights at dinner when youth are tired and arguing it’s really stressful. Just constantly putting out fires.

'Diffusing conflict and trying to do it calmly and patiently takes a lot of energy.'

We know the feeling!

'I’ve realised something really quite important though…' he added.

On the next slide he shared his fail-safe method of diffusing Marley's meltdowns ...

Joe penned:

'When Marley is at his most frustrated, irrational, irate and angry I can ask him one simple question…

'Marley would you like a cuddle?

'9 time out of 10 this is exactly what he wants and needs and I can soothe and calm him without the need to shout.'

He admitted: 'Shouting 100% of the time always escalates the drama.'

'This one simple thing has actually life changing for us both.'

Joe then urged other parents to give it a try – and we certainly will.

'Try it next time you want to scream and you are boiling over. Just ask that question,' he encouraged.

The star also gave an honest admission that he gets ‘f***** off at times at his kids' behaviour, but refuses to blame the kids.

He wrote: ‘The shift in my kids mood when they haven’t slept enough or are over tired is just unreal.

'But I can’t hold Marley responsible for his irrational behaviour at dinner if we are still in a restaurant at 9.30pm at night.'

He continued:

'I have to accept I’ve created his mood and treat him with more understanding and just ride it out by staying calm.

'He’s just really tired and used to being in bed by 7pm.'

The star then admitted to being human and properly shouting at his kids sometimes.

He said: ‘I try so hard not to. It’s not how I want to be but we all have our breaking points.'

But that's where his simple cuddle question comes in handy – and it seems his easy method is already working wonders for some parents.

One person wrote: 'I do this exact thing with my four-year-old. We 'cuddle the angry away'. In that moment when she's kicking and screaming, it's the last thing I want to do but it completely diffuses the situation and stops it escalating.'

The parent continued:

'If she's ever past the point of admitting she wants a cuddle I usually grab her in a big bear hug and within a few seconds I feel her body just soften into me and she usually starts crying. It's like the cuddle lets her release whatever emotion she is feeling.'

Joe responded: 'The cuddle method ... It's powerful stuff Jeff. When you are at your most angry and frustrated a cuddle between you and the child soothes you both ❤️ '

Will you be trying the method? We would love to hear how it goes. Drop into our Forum and let us know if it works for you.

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