What do you do to stop tantrums in public?

Question

my 2 year old spent 2 hours today throwing a tantrum while we were at the doctors office. I was getting an ultrasound done and all she wanted to do was lay on the dirty ground and scream and cry. She does this every time I have to go to the doctor and I can't just leave her home because her dad and sister want to be at the doctor to see and hear the baby too. What can I do to curb these tantrums?

Answer 1

I use to throw tantrums when I was a kid. When ever I was in a store and I wanted a toy I would throw my self on the floor and scream.

Then one day my mom said thats it, stay in the store by your self, i'm leaving. I got up, ran to her, hugged her leg and never threw another tantrum in my life.

Answer 2

Children need to learn DISCIPLINE (discipline and punishment do not have to go hand in hand, bear in mind)... by instilling discipline all we are doing is teaching our children from the beginning how to control themselves and their impulses... if she is doing a negative behavior that is either destructive or simply annoying/rude, she needs to be shown through consequences (gauge this based on your individual child's age and temperament) that some behaviors have negative reprocussions...

If she is throwing a fit then there could be a few choices. First, assess the situation. Is she simply bored or being bratty? If bored, bring plenty of fun things to distract her with, including snacks. However, if she is being bratty, then your husband needs to deal with her if you are busy with an ultrasound. Whoever is able needs to tell her firmly, "You need to stop screaming right now or you will get a spanking" If she doesn't stop, take her into a restroom and swat her bottom. Be consistent and true to your word... children need to learn that in life, if they do something bad/destructive, that naturally there will be bad/negative reprocussions. Likewise, when they are good they need to see the fruit and reward for that...

Ignoring is silly. It teaches them that they can freak out and be as tyranical as they want and no one will guide or stop them. Young children NEED the wisdom/guidance of the adults in their lives...

Good luck.

Answer 3

I feel for you, been there done that.  I would say continue what you are doing, ignore it if at all possible.  She's trying her best to get attention.  If ignoring doesn't work, bend down to her eye level and calmly, quietly say to her, you are making a bad choice right now; if you do not stop, we will be leaving right now.  Give her a moment to make her choice and if she doesn't stop, pick up your stuff and leave right then.  After a few times of this, she'll get the message.  Even if you have a full cart of groceries, just leave.  I've done that and it worked wonders.  Also, is she too tired?  Little ones don't handle being tired very well.  Try to schedule your "big" outings right after a decent nap time.  Hang in there...

Answer 4

Have her dad or someone take her to the bathroom and spank her butt or make her have a public timeout bc the Dr. is the last place you would want your daughter laying on the floor at with all the germs .

I will probably get thumbs down for this but you need to know what the Dr. is saying and have his full attention on you not a crying baby in the background as he is trying to talk .Or have your husband take her out to the car let her calm down and then take her back in.

Answer 5

i work in a grocery store and have person experince in this...

Ignoreing doesnt help...

the mothers that come in and the child starts screaming and all. the mother ignores it it gets worse... then you  hear ("now hush or youll be in time out" (ohhhh time out) some get worse.... and corners maybe in the 80's it worked but now not..

kiids grow up to be brats because their parents dont believe in a pat on the butt.. it doesnt hurt there is a such think as beating and a spanking... it doesnt prmote violence it just lets the kid know u are in charged... they will get the picture and stop nd lishen to wat u have to say all u have to say is to u want a whipping and they will stop....

Answer 6

i would just pull her pants down and wimp her butt or when u get home if she embarresed u embarrse her like give her no privincy

Answer 7

Lay on the floor and throw one with her,seriousally.

Answer 8

Oh yes, tantrums in public, my favourite!

They know they have you across a barrel and your ability to react is limited. It is usually over some small issue like chips, McDonald's or some trinket they want.

I won't spank a child in public mostly.  But public time-out, absolutely.  If that doesn't work, I leave my cart and we both go home.  They have not won - believe me!  Once we are home, they are punished, given a moment  to calm down and we go back to the store and finish our shopping.

Answer 9

like that other person said, throw a fit with her.

or just ignore her completely, embarrassing as it may be. when she doesn't get attention she'll tire herself out and stop.

Answer 10

Find someone to watch her while you, dad, and big sister go see the new addition of your family! Being she is only 2 its hard, i know how hard it is to get them to listen. And ignoring her behavior probably does not help at that age.  I would try to find a babysitter for the doctors appointments. And just start with small outings for a while, she how she responds, if she is throwing fits then stop taking her out for a while (like a week or 2) Then try again. If that don't work, give her a spanking when she is acting out, show her your not going to tolerate it and make sure your consistent. Good luck and congratulation!

Answer 11

My suggestion is to teach your daughter to never, ever tantrum at home, then there won't be tantrums in public either.  I experienced hundreds of hours of tantruming as a parent, but it doesn't happen anymore.  I stopped it by swiftly disciplining for bad attitudes, when my child makes the first whiny peep, begs for the second time in a row, makes a pouty dive for the floor, or shows irritation at not getting what they want, I give them a warning to immediately stop those behaviors.  (making a single whiny sound, asking for the same thing twice, complaining about what they are given, or pouting)  None of these behaviors are a tantrum, but they are all preludes and I treat them like I used to treat a full-blown tantrum.  If the behavior persists they are disciplined (we switched from time-outs and lost priveleges to spanking, but try what works for you) every time, no exceptions, they can count on it.

After a few days, my children would mostly stop misbehaving with just warnings.  There have been no more tantrums at home or elsewhere from any of my three children (1, 4, and 5).  I was astonished, I thought tantrums were inevitable and the key was ending them quickly, the truth is they are preventable, children have the power within to control themselves. The key is to discipline bad attitudes before they can become a tantrum (and appropriate spankings), your kids get in the habit of having good attitudes, they see themselves in a whole new light, their confidence grows, and the home is such a nicer place to be!

Answer 12

Ignore it.. The more attention you give it the more she will  do it.  Have you asked her why she does not like going to the Dr? Maybe she had a bad experience...Make sure she is not hungry, tired, bored when you got to the appointment..  If it persist I would just go solo or leave her with a family member. That is a bad phase kids go thru ( I have 3 kids so I know what you are going thru ..LOL) Good luck.

Answer 13

i am going throught his with my daughter as well. she is 2 and she is my parents first grandchild, so she is VERY spoiled. some is my fault also but mostly thiers!!! LOL.

anyways, i always make sure she has everything she wants or likes when we go out in public. it is very hard sometimes to deal with the 'terrible twos' stage, but i punish her when needed, she is just her, ya know? i bring a diaper bag full of crackers, cookies, coloring book, and her blankie. i take her baby doll with us too!

also, sometimes you gotta stand up and be the parent. its hard, but let her know YOU are the boss.! lol

Answer 14

You will need to tell her that if she doesn't stop, you will find a corner and put her in time out. I have also removed my kids from the situation and taken them to the car and made them sit in the car until the stopped crying or throwing a fit.

Even if you have to walk out of the Dr's office, that would show good parenting.  

Answer 15

i just read an article about this... usually children throw tantrums when they are upset, don't get what they want, or want attention so if you can talk to her and find out why she gets upset you can reassure her...

i also read that when your child throws a tantrum you are supposed to take them to a quiet place and let them do their thing... then once they are finished, talk to them