I was in a grocery store and my 4 yr old started acting out badly, yelling "no" to me, whining, just plain out misbehaving. So I put him in a time out at the end of the aisle. Time out has always been my policy even if we are in public. After the time out was over, I got down to his level and talked with him about his behaviour. This lady was staring at me and then gave me a nasty look like I was hitting him or something. Are you just supposed to let your child act out in public and not reprimand them for fear of public opinion? What are your thoughts?
2006-12-26 06:04:37 · 37 answers · asked by peach 4 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
First of all what you did was fine as far as time outs are concerned but WHERE you did it is not.
My suggestion for the next time this happens would be to Leave your cart and take your child to the car and put him in time out there. When time out is over, discuss HIS/HER options...Either we can go back in and finish shopping if you are going to behave or we can just go home , and I'll get groceries by myself later.
Don't worry 98% of the time they want to be with you. Tell HIM/HER if you act up again we are going straight home , no treats, no special supper whatever. You only have to follow through with this ONE time , they get the message fast when they are deprived of putting their favorites in that shopping cart as a special reward for being so well-behaved.
Try it, You'll see!
Punishment should not be a public display, and bad behavior should not be ignored.
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Penny Mae
2006-12-26 06:14:48 · answer #1 · answered by Penny Mae 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most definitely discipline your child in public. Yelling, swearing, hitting, is an absolute no-no (at any time, by the way), but you have to set boundaries and structure for your child or he'll walk all over you. You did nothing wrong. In the future, when someone gives you that kind of look, ask her if she'd like a time out too.
2006-12-26 06:09:21 · answer #2 · answered by -Bibee- 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Peach I also believe in time outs but if my girls act out in public I take them home ..this is the way to let them know they cannot do this and if they want to go with mommie anywhere then behave or we leave...and I have done this when they were 2.&. 3 yrs old they are 6 and now when we go into any store they are sooo good it does work Peach .....and ignore those nasty looks from people this is your child I hope I helped my friend ......hugs to you and your 4 yr old............kara
2006-12-26 07:25:41 · answer #3 · answered by COOKIE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, it depends on if you were yelling at tim or just talking or if he was crying. You never know. The lady could have just misunderstood what was going on and if she actually saw him misbehaving. She could be the kind of person who DOES just let her kid's behavior go unpunished. You definitly should give him a time out if he is misbehaving but try not to make a big scene in public.
2006-12-26 06:13:54 · answer #4 · answered by panicatthediscorocks001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a VERY hard question to answer, because the same has happened to me, and i have thought of many was to correct this the "politically correct"way in public, but i have decided that it doesn't matter what someone else thinks. You have to raise your children to the best of your ability, and no one can expect more than that. Now i am NOT avocating hitting children, I DO NOT AND WILL NOT HIT mine, but i do have my own methods of punishment, and it seems to work with mine. So if yours is working i wouldn't worry so much. as long as your not physically hurting your child, nor mentally, then i say stick to what you know works. Trust me someone will always feel the need to "express" their opinion in your raising your child, but it is your job to teach them right and wrong, and not theirs.
2006-12-26 06:11:48 · answer #5 · answered by Charisma 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I congratulate you for disciplining you child! To many parents don't today! If the dirty looks bother you, then why not have him do his time outs in the car instead of the store. More of a pain for you, but not in the eye of the public.
2006-12-26 06:09:44 · answer #6 · answered by wish I were 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I can't see a time out working well in the store, but that's up to you. I think she thinks if you have good kids then they don't act up in the store regardless. I think if you are consistent that's more important. Do NOT let your child get their way if it's against your rules or they'll act up more.
2006-12-26 06:16:45 · answer #7 · answered by moviegirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't let the location determine how or when you discipline your kids. If they see that you're scared to get onto them in public, that's when they'll show out. Kids are way smarter than people give them credit for. I wish someone would try to tell me what to do or say to my own kids. I carried them, I damn near split in half giving birth to them, I'm the one with the stretch marks and extra weight so it's nobody else's business as long as I'm not just outright killing them. All it takes is "that look" from me and mine know what to do. You're the momma, you know what's best for yours so who cares what that busybody thinks. Take care.
2006-12-26 06:13:29 · answer #8 · answered by lovelee1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ignore that lady, she has issues... you were handling that sooo perfectly. You always put the child in time out for bad behavior, and then when it's over, you talk to the child on his/her level so they can relate with you and they won't feel too overpowered. I don't know what was wrong with that lady. She has issues...
2006-12-26 06:15:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should have to that lady to mind her own damn business
it's your child and you can do whatever you need to make sure they behave themselves.
you might have just saved that woman a time at the store hearing a child scream the whole time
i hate people who think they're better than everybody else
i have a little sister that LOVES to act out while we're at places because our grandma spoils her to no end
it's disgusting how lil sis treats everybody
yesterday, during christmas, she was the whiniest ever
2006-12-26 06:11:49 · answer #10 · answered by nαrcíssα [misses being a TC] 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋