Tantrum in public

Weird question are we writing an essay?

I saw a toddler drop a receipt recently she had been holding on to in her buggy. There was epic big feelings going on and a perplexed dad.

Felt like king of the toddlers when I gave her it back and she stopped.

They're a law unto themselves those little humans

Yeah. Does seem an odd question to be asking.

Asking if any of us that are parents had never had to deal with a tantrumming child might be quicker.

No never heard of such a thing happening before. Ever.

Wait, what?! Is every day not like that with a toddler? Is mine broken 🤣

They also have a habit of needing an urgent wee just as you've worked your way to the front of the checkout queue & have all your shopping on the conveyor belt. 😡

Yes, they all do that.

I usually smile sympathetically at the parent & assure them that their child will grow out of it - at least until they become teenagers. 🙄

Oh god I remember those days. I left a trolley full of groceries once in Tesco as DD threw an epic one. And the one where there weren’t any of the bloody pedal car trolleys left. Really, Tesco, who thought they were a good idea??

The only time I managed to head one off was where I said ‘oh you missed the elephant!’ (Her favourite animal at the time) - she was so surprised she stopped yelling & I managed to get the shop done in record time getting her to watch out for it.

No-one will be judging you, just thinking ‘thank xxx ours have grown out of it’. Sending a hug xx

That's gentle parenting for you, they have to deal and talk about their feelings, innit?

OP, what helped me was a quote saying something like: how brave they are, defying someone so much bigger, stronger and totally in charge of every little aspect of their lives.

I would think any parent who says they have not been there is fibbing or has an unusual child. It will get better and then adolescence kicks in and it can get worse, sadly teenagers can’t be plonked in a pushchair and wheeled away.
And then to try our patience to the limit come elderly parents whose defiance and attention grabbing skills have been honed by observing bad behaviour for 90 years
Most people don’t judge and often help will come from a completely unexpected passerby. Some of us may suppress a smile as we think “ oh gosh, thank goodness mine are grown up!” 😂
Good luck

More times than I care to remember!

Totally, run-of-the-mill normal. Breathe.

Yes, you just have to strap them in the buggy and march off. If they try to drag their feet on the floor as one of mine did, tip the buggy back a little so their feet are off the floor. I pushed mine in the buggy down a side alley when he kicked off in a shop as he wanted a toy when I had to buy a gift for another child. I faced him towards the bare wall until he stopped and spoke to him calmly- one of my better parenting moments I think - when I actually wanted to throw a tantrum myself. And I’ve done the surfboard move several times as well.

Well, when they get abit older you can tell them you’re going to have one too in public and see how they like it! 😆

Mine is an adult with child of his own, but I regularly stepped over him having a full blown tantrum on a supermarket or garden centre floor.
It was incredible how many supportive people would just pat me on the arm and say 'that's a good 'un' 😅
Don't ever be embarrassed - we've all been there🙂

Yes, don’t overthink it op, it happens to every parent. It’s not bad parenting to have to overlook the tears and strap him in. Don’t worry.

Yes..my autistic son had the tantrum of the century in macdonalds aged about 4, he wanted the happy meal that had a plain red box as advertised but was given a different box..because he wasn't very verbal it took forever to work out what was up but he screamed the place down

I think all parents have been there. Ive found with tantrums when you’re in the midst of one it feels awful and like it will never stop. But actually in the grand scheme of things they’re relatively short so I just tell myself it will end soon to get through it.

No need to feel bad about parenting your child.

My ( now adult ) DS used to have melt downs in supermarkets. Now I realise it was probably related to his ASD. That was undiagnosed at the time, as he also has CP. He’s used a wheelchair since he was three. Imagine having to push a ( incredibly cute looking ) three year old round a shop as he screams his head off. I am laughing remembering now, he’s 34! This too will pass .

The worst thing is when you see parents try to pacify their children and end the tantrum with sweets and toys from the shops.

Yup. DS6 had an horrendous one today in the library of all places. DS3 wanted to leave and went out on his bike, DS6 refused to leave. All very stressful.

We’ve all been there Mum. I feel nothing but, sympathy for parents of children screaming or having a tantrum. Why is it always in public.

I can imagine that must have been embarrassing at the time but it really made me laugh!

It's called parenting.

It's the right thing to do as kids need to learn that tantrums do not get them what they want.

Wish some of my Y10s knew that 🤣

Would be amazed if any parent has never had to forcibly put their child into a buggy and strap them in !