Melt down whilst out shopping

[wifey6]

Just got home from the worst shopping trip! Out for the day for a family members birthday..& DS pitched a tantrum in the middle of the shop. I was mortified & have the trolley full of shopping to my family member & took DS outside. I was so upset & when we returned to the car I just sobbed. I tried every thing before it escalated...but then when it did...it was awful. How do I stop the tantrum before it gets full-blown & I am left in tears?
I even feel embarrassed admitting this. :(

totally normal!doesnt stop you being mortified though, my dd is 2.8 and had a complete meltdown in wh smiths a few days ago including banshee screaming and rolling on the floor. I picked her up and left and had to get the bus home so the screeching continued (i ignored her and got the looks)!and it didnt stop even at home so popped her on the sofa and ignored her.

Remember other people are not judging you, or if they are it's their problem. They've either had toddlers, in which case they'll understand, or not, when they won't. Either way it doesn't matter. Your toddler is doing what toddlers do, dogs bark, toddlers tantrum..

Just don't let him have whatever he's tantrumming about, ever ever. Try to stay calm, at home it's easy, you can all leave the room and put the kettle on when he starts kicking off (the audience s leaving the theatre). In public, you can ignore by talking about what you're buying, or ask his opinion about it...

He will grow out of it.

Shopping has been a game chez ginger for years. We play
"What can you see" and "where is the..." Etc. Also try putting child in the trolley and then pushing the trolley the wrong way round so they are "driving". That's always a favourite.

It is just not true that if you handle things "right", they will never have a tantrum!

You can do absolutely everything people can recommend and they can still throw a huge wobbly, it is not your fault it's just what toddlers do.

And there is no magic "right" way to handle tantrums once they've started so that they will magically stop either - sometimes all you can do is remove them from the middle of the shop (if possible) and just wait... and wait... and wait... for them to finally run out of steam and stop screaming.

I am speaking from bitter experience but just stop beating yourself up and you will get used to it soon and become less bothered about what other people might be thinking.

Sorry have been at work! Thank you all do, so much for sharing your stories...some excellent tips too....very much appreciated!
We had only been out 20 mins the other day when a wobbler happened.
Went shopping after work (took 20 mins max) & he was as good as gold.
However...tiredness has just set in & he had a melt-down over the tv remote. Ignored it...spoke calmly & wrapped him in blanket on my lap.....& he is now asleep.
How would I survive without MN??
Hope I never have to find out!