To have yelled and dragged child out

[Yellinginmuseum]

I know I was being unreasonable but I’m not sure how else I should have dealt with this.

I took my three year old and nearly 1 year old - not yet walking - to a museum. It wasn’t pram friendly so had to carry her round and she’s heavy. Three year old went round and enjoyed it and then wanted to go back in. It was a one way system so was trying to explain to him he couldn’t get in through the door he was trying. He ended up having a tantrum. Eventually he shot off and ran in through the right door, I tried to follow but a crowd of people got in my way and when I eventually caught up with him I was saying his name over and over and he was just blanking me. In the end I shouted STOP IGNORING ME and dragged him out

I am not sure what else I should have done.

You did the right thing, OP, and have nothing to feel guilty for.

Not sure why you think any of this is unreasonable.

Sometimes kids push all of our buttons and they have a sixth sense to do it when it will have most impact. That's what's happened here. He wouldn't have run off if you had the baby in a buggy and could chase him easier, I guarantee.

But confused about an exhibit specifically for kids that isn't buggy friendly though? Seems counterintuitive.

I find this angst about raising voices at small children baffling. I’m not talking about continual shouting and screaming at children, of course not, but once in while, in certain circumstances like this, a loud voice from a parent is what unruly children need.

In my mind that’s what parenting is. Instructing and coaching young humans how to live, and live safely and in community. If you are always talking to them like some consistently modulated AI friendly robot voice how are they to discern danger or alarm?

I think you are unreasonable to even think you might be unreasonable.

Totally agree. I also think you must be my mum because she's the only person I've ever heard use the phrase "screaming abdabs"!

THREAD IS FROM FEBRUARY!!!