Tantrum in public

Curlybook · 23/05/2025 17:37

Of course, we all have.

I found this is exactly what those breathing exercises they teach you for labour are for. Breathe through it and stay calm.

Pollqueen · 23/05/2025 17:38

Many times! I wouldn't worry OP, most, if not all, parents have been there at some stage

FionnulaTheCooler · 23/05/2025 17:38

Every parent has been there. DD once had an epic tantrum when it was time to leave soft play and I had to carry her out surfboard style while she was still screeching. Do what you need to do to get through the moment and remember this too shall pass.

frenchnoodle · 23/05/2025 17:38

Yes, this is the standard daily life when you have a toddler. Everyone understands so don't worry.

namechangeGOT · 23/05/2025 17:40

i put my son back in his buggy mid-strop in a super market once. He picked up the nearest thing to his little arm and lobbed it, it was a can of pop. It hit the floor and whizzed round like a Catherine Wheel spurting pop as it went! It was honestly the first and only tantrum he ever had but I could have died!

Lovemydoggie · 23/05/2025 17:40

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

MyCyanReader · 23/05/2025 17:42

CMc94 · 23/05/2025 17:35

I feel bad. DS wasn't cooperative today at shopping and I had to put him in his buggy even though he fought it. It was loud and lots of tears. I felt bad afterwards. Anyone been there in a situation like that?

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 🤣

carpool · 23/05/2025 17:46

namechangeGOT · 23/05/2025 17:40

i put my son back in his buggy mid-strop in a super market once. He picked up the nearest thing to his little arm and lobbed it, it was a can of pop. It hit the floor and whizzed round like a Catherine Wheel spurting pop as it went! It was honestly the first and only tantrum he ever had but I could have died!

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

polarsystem · 23/05/2025 17:49

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.

OrangePineapple25 · 23/05/2025 17:50

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.

polarsystem · 23/05/2025 17:51

MyCyanReader · 23/05/2025 17:42

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 🤣

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

MsPavlichenko · 23/05/2025 17:59

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 .

Notimeforaname · 23/05/2025 17:59

No need to feel bad about parenting your child.

MalcolmMoo · 23/05/2025 18:21

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.

Katemax82 · 23/05/2025 18:21

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

Gettingamixedresponse · 23/05/2025 18:41

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.

Flicitytricity · 23/05/2025 18:44

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🙂

Genevie82 · 23/05/2025 18:59

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! 😆

Maray1967 · 23/05/2025 19:02

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.

Swiftie1878 · 23/05/2025 19:06

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

ItsSoFoggy · 23/05/2025 19:14

More times than I care to remember!

JillMW · 24/05/2025 13:21

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

Penthrowingsurvivor · 24/05/2025 13:27

polarsystem · 23/05/2025 17:51

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

Show quote history

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.

MedievalNun · 24/05/2025 13:41

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

Ineedtocheckmylist · 24/05/2025 13:57

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. 🙄