How do you get your kids to behave in public??

[Fattytwoshoes]

Up until quite recently my 2 dc were ok when we went out, but last few months they've been right sods when we are out to the point it's really embarrasing to the point i want the ground to swallow me up. iknow it's probably bordom so what do you do to make your kids behave when you're out???

Have to say that now I really think about it, while DS#2 is such hard work atm that he tends to dominate, my older 2 are totally saintly when we are out anywhere. I can't think of a single occasion in the last few years when I've had to use the look or the voice or anything else. So something is working . Just have to wait for Forrest to catch up.....assuming he lives that long...

I am also a threats and bribery type of mum. It works but costs a packet

That doesn't work when Dad's a copper, lol.

I don't have 'The Look', but according to DD I do use, 'The quiet voice that scares people'.

She is quite right I do, and have perfected it with years 8 and 9 in school

Oh yes... I do a sort of scary smile with gritted teeth and hiss through them... when I use that voice they know it's time to behave!

I count to 5, with my voice getting more harsh with every number, they NEVER get to 5, everyone looks at them too and it embarasses them

as soon as they start we go home. to bedtime. for the evening

Am starting to worry that I shout too much at my ds. Apparently he was at my MILs last week and did something silly/naughty and he looked quite panic stricken and said "Dont tell mummy!!" Cue MIL thinking I am a monster.

I wish I had a "quiet voice that scares everyone!" - unfortunetaly I only seem to have a "shouty voice that'smakes everyone think mummy is a fish wife"

A couple of weeks DD 3.5 said to me , as I was getting her dressed, "Mummy, can you try not shouting today?"

If DD is good when we get home she is told how good she has been and gets a sticker towards her end of week treat (sweets, toy, DVD, comic, knickers - anything £5 or less). But if she is naughty I get down to her level- mid shop if I have to and explain what will happen if she doesnt stop. If she carries on I then march out of the shop at quite a pace so she has to run to keep up. Then when outside I normally get a "sorry mummy" so we make up and I have a perfetly behaved child for the rest of the trip!

Although saying that last time I did this we went back in the shop and she demanded to know "where's daddy?" who had gone to buy a paper, then feld to his arms complaining I was leaving he behind. Luckily DH and I are in tune on these things so she did'nt get any more sympathy from him!

becaroo - I learned a long time ago that shouting at children doesn't work - they don't listen to what you say - they're just hearing the noise.
If you manage not to shout 99% of the time then on the odd occasion that you do it will have a far greater effect.
Shouting all the time just makes you stressed.

I try and get DS involved in the activity or discussion. If it gets too much, remove him from the situation and have 10mn of quiet one on one (cuuddle an story or go out for a little walk).
It's really hard though at this age (nearly 3) because they want to be the centre of the universe.