Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

Tantrums while driving

5 replies

ZaraBlue · 02/03/2025 11:01

Almost 3 year old has been having awful tantrums everyday and non stop whinging about everything and anything.
I try to validate his feelings, tell him I'm here for a hug when he's ready, offer him water or a snack etc. Then we chat about it after he's calmed down.
Any tips for managing tantrums while driving? I just had the worst 30 min drive of him yelling and crying the entire time demanding biscuits, treats, wanting to go home, wanting daddy... honestly anything he could think of. I just focused on the road, drove slowly and ignored him mostly. But I found it incredibly stressful... I am also 8.5 months pregnant 🫠 He did have snacks and a toy in the car but obviously not what he wanted. Is this normal toddler behaviour?!? He used to love the car and just chit chat the whole time.
We've got home and he apologised for "all that crying" without any prompting, like a switch he is completely fine...!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Dolambslikemintsauce · 02/03/2025 11:15

Set off for a local trip - nothing vital. First kick off you go home. Don't discuss just go home. At 3 they need to understand how dangerous their behaviour is.

Original poster

ZaraBlue · 02/03/2025 11:24

Dolambslikemintsauce · 02/03/2025 11:15

Set off for a local trip - nothing vital. First kick off you go home. Don't discuss just go home. At 3 they need to understand how dangerous their behaviour is.

Thanks I do completely agree. We were driving home.

OP posts:

Madmoomoo · 02/03/2025 11:32

Mine are all teenagers now but my tactic of last resort was to open the front windows for a few seconds. It was usually such a shock that it broke the tantrum cycle and allowed for a more reasonable discussion!

I did have a few occasions where I had to actually pull over when they were trying to murder one another.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3 year olds Families

ChocHotolate · 02/03/2025 11:36

It’s so difficult when they do this is the car but it sounds like you handled it as best you possibly could. If you had reacted and got stressed (visibly), he would have known this was a way to wind you up in the future.

Cyclistmumgrandma · 02/03/2025 11:36

I would probably set off for something low key but that he would like to do - maybe the park. If he kicks off, pull over and calmly explain that if he carries on you will go home then ignore. If he doesn't calm down in a couple of minutes, give a last warning then I would carry through and calmly set off for home. Don't cave if he then calms down.

Flip