A monster like scene!!!

[kathy33]

What to do when you little one has a tantrum in a public place?

[HappyMomma]

My DS was a great 2 yr old. Then 3 hit, the first 6 months were the PITS. Same sort of stuff. Refusing to get dressed, always wanted to stay. Then one day.. he became this sweet little awesome guy. Then one day about maybe a month ago, he turned again...The ugly side is back. I am working so hard on getting the awesome guy back. I have no real advice. Just hang in there.

[amyunicorn]

Whoa, personally I find the punishment a bit harsh. A tantrum is coming from a highly stressed out, emotional overloaded place. It is not unusual for a three year old to have a meltdown.

Big breaths momma, this is normal. It's a developmental stage and it will pass. Try not to get upset yourself about it, just roll with the punches. I've spent more times than I could ever count forcefully putting a coat on a child that was freaking out, so we could leave/go somewhere.

[kathy33]

We were the only ones left at the playgroup. I let her have a few more minutes. Then she still wouldn't come. Then the tantrum started... she had a time out. Then wouldn't get dressed ?

[Hep Alien]

Do you mean, what would I do at the time?? Well its tough, each situation is different and I have no details here.
I am NO expert, DD just had her first public tantrum a couple weeks ago in the middle of the street. It. Was. Horrific. I asked here for tips, afterwards.
I was in the middle of the street, I dont drive, I had groceries and a 3 yr old freaking out trying to run into the road. What did I do?? I survived, seriously, at this moment I dont even know how I survived.
There was a combination of trying to carry her (and groceries) and trying to talk her down, while heading closer and closer to home.

As for what to do afterwards, she went in her room. She is 3, she forgets things quickly, a long term punishment is still something she is not ready for yk? We have started talking daily about our feelings, what to do when we get upset, what behavior is except able etc etc. I am slowing learning with her to curb the tantrums, I know I have defused a few since her big blow up, and i hope to defuse more.

I won't pretend though to know, what I will do if she blows up in the middle of the street again. I know i kept my cool last time and I will try my best to the next time.

[angela]

Originally Posted by HappyMomma

My DS was a great 2 yr old. Then 3 hit, the first 6 months were the PITS. Same sort of stuff. Refusing to get dressed, always wanted to stay. Then one day.. he became this sweet little awesome guy. Then one day about maybe a month ago, he turned again...The ugly side is back. I am working so hard on getting the awesome guy back. I have no real advice. Just hang in there.

sounds like my DS....i just try and remain consistent and follow through on consequences! good luck, your not alone! also, we have had a few of the kind of meltdowns hep described and its all i can do to keep my cool! i feel like everyone is watching and judging!

[princess2808]

Aden had a tantrum the other day at Masonville. He wanted to throw a coin in the fountain so I put him down and he crawled up. He knows he is not supposed to touch the water. So while I'm getting out the coin he sticks his hand in the water. I immediately told him nope, no coin now, he knows better. He screams and thorws a fit. I told him 'let's go, we have to get home so you can do your new puzzle'. Fit proceeds. I walk away. He screams and comes running after me. He come up in my arms, give me a hug says sorry and just cries on my shoulder.

I know with him, if he is having a fit and I pick him up to carry him away, I WILL be hit and kicked. Of course I will, he's expressing his emotions. So instead I leave him where he is and start to walk away. he always fallows and appologizes. Once that doesn't work anymore, we'll find something else lol

[Hep Alien]

Originally Posted by princess2808

Aden had a tantrum the other day at Masonville. He wanted to throw a coin in the fountain so I put him down and he crawled up. He knows he is not supposed to touch the water. So while I'm getting out the coin he sticks his hand in the water. I immediately told him nope, no coin now, he knows better. He screams and thorws a fit. I told him 'let's go, we have to get home so you can do your new puzzle'. Fit proceeds. I walk away. He screams and comes running after me. He come up in my arms, give me a hug says sorry and just cries on my shoulder.

I know with him, if he is having a fit and I pick him up to carry him away, I WILL be hit and kicked. Of course I will, he's expressing his emotions. So instead I leave him where he is and start to walk away. he always fallows and appologizes. Once that doesn't work anymore, we'll find something else lol

Oh yeah, I remember when few steps in the other direction would stop her, sigh, it was nice while it lasted. I would never leave her, or go anywhere near outta her sight, but to just turn away, and not give her the attention, she would calm down and come along with me. Now not a chance.

[Tami&amber]

been there, and when teen DD did her worst I sat on a bench and watched her.
Once she exhausted herself, we left the mall and went home.
She slept for a few hours once home , and thankfully never did it again

[Carol]

Have a 4th birthday was our answer. Seriously, three is a rough age, people that complain about 2s haven't had a three year old yet. Just walking away works for awhile(sorry princess) then its just drop what your doing and pick them up, grab them by the hand if thats all you can do and get to a quiet place. Not much else can work because when they are in that mode I don't even think they can really hear you or calm down.

[princess2808]

Oh I don't expect it to work forever at all haha. But with most parenting things, while it works you go with it and change once it doesn't anymore. It's been working for a good year and a half so I expect it to end any day now.