So what DO you do when your toddler has a tantrum in the supermarket?

[Hayls]

Just curious what you think. My dd came to the supermarket with me and I wouldn't let her go intot he cafe so she moaned a bit then lay face down on the floor (not crying or kicking etc, just lying there). If it happens at home, I just ignore it until she gets up and comes for a cuddle then I tell her what she did wrong so I did the same today- but got sooo many dirty looks. She lay for about 3 mins then I asked her if she wanted to smell the flowers and she came over and all was forgiven. She did it again about 15 mins later but was a bit more stubborn and whingy so I waited a few minutes (ignoring her)then counted to 3 (warnig her what would happen)then picked her up and carried on shopping.
Again, I got so many dirty looks.
Other than putting her in the trolley even when only buying milk is there anything I could/ should have done differently?
She will be 2 next month

I once had to sit down in Tesco for about an hour because i wanted him to try on a coat. Very proud to say that i won and he calmed down but the amount of dirty looks from the older generation was amazing and lots of 'been there, done it' looks for the younger parents. Did make me laugh.

I tend to walk away and ignore ( whilst keeping an eye on them ), it usually works but the odd time i've resorted to time out.
The dirty looks used to annoy and/or upset me but now it's water off a ducks back. I now say in a very polite voice and loud enough for everyone else to hear 'well if you disaprove of my parenting methods maybe you'd like to try calming her down'. Followed by 'No, I didn't think you would so i'd apreciate it if you stop looking at me with disaproval' as they quickly shuffle off down an aisle looking very embaressed.

Hayls - think you handled it brilliantly!! Ignore the dirty looks.

have you seen to Tv advert for some cold remedy called First Defence? The mum is in a supermarket with a child about 3 or 4, the child starts to stamp their feet about a packet of crisps or something and the mum get on the floor first and has a BIG tantrum. I REALLY REALLY want to have the nerve to do that

I just stand there and laugh.

I stand back turned ignoring the child too. I did this once and stood just at the end of the aisle, some poor old man went up to dd and started to talk to her (thinking she was lost) she never got up so fast and ran to me!!

I just stand there and smile happily, also laugh at them too, and if I got a dirty look, I would laugh in their face TBH

Kristingle, Me too

DD kicked off at the till the other day and everyone turned and stared. I waved at everyone, smiled and said loudly, "Yes, she's mine and she's 22 months!"
They all looked away again ... some embarrassed some smirking ....

FGS, the last thing you should worry about is the tutting and glaring onlookers - anyone with children or who has had children just feels immense sympathy with you and is probably bloody grateful that it's not their child screaming his or her head off! We've all been there and if you can avoid losing your temper than you deserve a big pat on the back!

DS went through a stage when he started walking where he did NOT want to be in the buggy. And screamed for a whole shopping trip to prove it. Got sooo many looks. Makes a horrible experience so much worse I found. I dread the tantrums.