I have just walked out of a supermarket, for the first time EVER.

[PavlovtheCat]

DD is 6. DD, while not an angel and can be a right pain in supermarkets, has never pushed me to the point of walking out and leaving my shopping.

DS, aged 3, now has. He fell asleep in the car on route to replacing broken tree lights at B&Q at 5pm. woke and had a meltdown because he was hungry. Kids ate in the cafe, although he did not really eat as it was Not Right.

He was a little sod. I was in sainsburys for them to pick a decoration each for the tree, buy mince pies so we could have them with hot chocolate after putting new lights on the tree and adding our new decorations. I also needed to buy eggs and bread to make sarnies for DSs nursery party tomorrow.

He refused to follow me. He would only come if I squatted down with my arms out, cute the first time, not the 10th. He just stood where he was and would not come, or he would wander off. He won't sit in the trolley, I don't even bother trying that one any more.

He then promised to be good and behaved himself, so they got to pick their decoration. All decorations reduced by half price so I picked a few for my myself (£1 each!) and got the children some little christmas bears and a Santa Stop Here Sign.

Then, DS plonked himself down on the floor bashing his little bells on the floor, and I kept having to drag him/carry him/squat down just to get him moving with me. It was torture.

But, I was not going to be beaten, I just needed eggs, mince pies and bread. Which was right at the other end of the store. Next thing I know DS is running in the opposite direction jingling his little bells and laughing.

Now. I left work early today due to increased back pain. I should not really have attempted a supermarket in my state, but I wanted the tree done as the lights have been broken for days, and I promised DD and DS new decorations each.

So, I couldn't run after him, he ran around and across long aisles, not far from the door and I could not keep up with him. I finally grabbed him, and I was so bloody cross I abandoned the entire shopping, took his bell from his hand and carried him, hobbling out of the shop.

On the journey home I have had both children in floods of tears. DS promised not to run away ever ever again and they both tried to persuade me to drive back. I refused.

I am still very cross. DS is still being a pain, DD is upset as she lost her treat although I promised I would try to go back tomorrow for her. Unlikely there will be anything left though.

And, to top it off my back is now screaming in pain and both the children are demanding 'mama!' 'mama!' 'can I have a drink? can we watch tv? can I watch thomas? please? I want! I want! I want! MAMA!!!'

I am absolutely not going shopping with my DS again for a long time. His behaviour is appalling right now.

Ok, I think it's all out.

kvet yes to the horns and red eyes! He does this jump which we call the 'angry imp' jump, he has done it ever since he could stand in his cot, he literally bounces up and down screeching, and it can come on instantly he is angry, as soon as it does, we know we are in for a good few minutes of tantrum with little fixing whatever has caused it.

The only thing that concerns me very slightly, is that he has regressed slightly with his words recently, he is using them less to express himself than usual, in particular when angry, but sometimes when just not happy - he has always been a very vocal boy, but more recently he points and grunts, or nods or takes us to something, and we are having to say 'you need to use words sweety, we can't understand unless you say the words?' but he just looks down when we say that. I guess he just finds it hard to express himself with words at the moment.

I think they are tired too. It's the end of terms and even the 3yo's seems to feel it. Lets hope over the Christmas break they will turn into little treasures again...........

My 22m old is like this sometimes, usually when hungry or tired. We went to the supermarket a few weeks ago and he was an angel. I picked him out of the trolley to put him in the car and told him what a good boy he was and how I was so pleased he'd behaved in the shop. Then I put him in the carseat and all hell broke loose. He is ridiculously strong, climbed out of the seat and was climbing all round the car, I had to go round opening various doors to get him. Finally got him and put him back in the seat and he scratched my face and pulled my hair and wouldn't let go.

Then the people in the next car turned up with an impeccably behaved toddler

I told him if he didn't sit in the seat I would take his Peppa off him. He sat still after that

PS you following through like that will help. Hopefully he'll remember that next time.