what can i do with my kid that throws tantrums everywhere?

Question

I have a boy that's a year and a half old and he throws his little anger tantrums everywhere we go and I never give him what he wants because I don't want him to be very 'caprichudo' what should i do!

Answer 1

I oldest son tried having a tantrum but only once. We were in the grocery store. As we turned down one of the aisles, he saw a child 'ptiching a fit' because of something he wanted and his mother said no but he finally got his way. My son and I kept walking and then he tried this trick when we went down the cereal aisle. He wanted a certain cereal, I told him "no", he threw himself on the floor and began screaming. I just looked at him and kept walking. I reached the end of the aisle, went around the end (completely out of his site), stopped and looked to see if he had stopped yet. I saw him look around, get up and come running to the end of the aisle and stopped when he saw me. I just looked at him and said "don't you ever try that again. When I tell you No I mean it and that's that!" That was the one and only time he ever tried that trick.
It sounds like you do ignore him and that's exactly what you should do. Continue this and sooner or later he will stop - it's probably just a phase.

Answer 2

Physically step over him while he's doing it. This way he gets the picture that you've seen him. Then go into another room. Say loudly how much fun you are having and talk about certain toys that you are "playing" with. He might get up and follow you. Whatever you do, don't give him any attention at all. My nephew tried this at the grocery store and his mother stepped over him and walked into the next aisle. Trust me, no one will steal your child if he's screaming and crying.Plus, you'll be watching. I would walk down the next aisle and peek back up the one your son is in. He might stand up, bewildered, and you can go rejoin him. This worked with my nephew on the first try. If this doesn't work, take him out of the store and back home. Also, keep in mind the time of day you are taking him out. If it's around a meal or snack time or naptime he's more inclined to have issues. Maybe bring a special snack that he can only have if you're out in public (not a snack he'd get at home). I would also suggest bringing small things he can play with and change them out often. At eighteen months, he should be easy to distract. Just point him in a new direction.

Answer 3

GIVE HIM NOTHING

you need to show him that no matter how much he throws a tantrum, he's not going to get it!!

When my son went through that phase, i would just walk away from him. Give him as little attention as possible, or he's going to think "mummy's making a huge fuss over me, so i am going to keep doing this.. ITS GREAT!!"

Also, when he DOES behave, make sure you reward him.. but not necessarily by buying him lollies or something while you're out, as this could start the whole process over again. Maybe buy a cheap book or toy, and play with it with him When you get home, constantly reminding him this is happening because He was well behaved while you were out..

Good luck!

Answer 4

I think ignoring your child is a horrible idea! Here's what I do.

I tell my daughter her behavior is unacceptable. I tell her I like to help her be happy, but she has to use big girl words, not a whiney voice. When I'm in public, I stop what I'm doing and crouch down to her level to talk to her. If I'm at home, I ask her if she needs some alone time, if she says yes, then I let her be all alone. If she does not calm down in public and we are doing something for her like playing at the park or library, I pick her up and leave. I tell her we are leaving because of her behavior. If we are at a place for me like the grocery store, I tell that it is important to do our errands and she needs to be patient. At that age, I could strap her into a cart and just keep going.

It is important to try and figure out his triggers. Does he cry because he wants a treat? Then try to pack snacks so you can say, here are your options, crackers or fruit. Does he want a new toy? Say we have these toys with us right now, today is not a day for new toys. Also, I like to give new toys to boys who ask nicely, not boys who cry.

Try not to set your kid up. If you know his limit in a restaurant is 45 minutes, don't ask him to sit through a two hour meal right now.

You should give him want he wants sometimes, just not when he cries for it (unless he's hurt) It is very important to be consistent too.

My daughter is almost three and she says please and thank you all the time. When she cries, I tell her she must be tired and does she want a nap and that makes her use her Big Girl voice every time!

Answer 5

All I can tell you is to ignore the tantrums. I babysit a 20 month old and he knows NOT to throw tantrums at my house because 1. he gets no attention from me when he's having one and 2. I don't give him what he wants. When his mother is here at my house picking him up in the afternoon he is a TOTALLY different boy only because his mother acknowledges his tantrums and gives him whatever he whines for. I NEVER entertain them and his behavior is totally different for me than it is for his mother. And I also have a 3yo girl and 2yo boy and they didn't throw tantrums for me because I never acknowledged them.

Answer 6

I have this problem on occasion too, even though I don't give in and give my kids treats every time we're out.
The most common remedy i've heard of is to give him a warning that if he doesn't stop you are leaving. If that doesn't work, drop everything, even if you have a shopping cart full of groceries and go to the car. Give him a time out and then go in and try again. If it happens again, try the time out again and another warning that if he throws another fit, you will go home. Then, most importantly, follow through!
I have done the time out in the car and it worked, but i've never had the nerve to leave groceries and go home. Shopping with a cranky toddler is just too much work to do it again!
good luck!

Answer 7

Your little boy is still so young and can't comprehend too much at this stage so you should redirect him or distract him. Never spank because it is negative punishment. I always use this advice from the Supernanny site and it works so well:

Toddler-proof’ your home by placing dangerous or breakable things out of reach. Have clear routines to your child’s day, for example regular lunch, nap, bath and bedtimes. Plan ahead, keeping an eye on frustration levels so you can step in before they go over the top. Provide lots of opportunities to let off steam every day –running around outside, at the playground, dancing to music. Give children some control and choice over what to eat, wear or play with.
For a minor episode:
Try ignoring, by walking into another room or just carrying on with your own tasks Use calming techniques to lower your own stress levels – deep breathing, relaxing your muscles, positive talk inside your head: ‘I will keep calm’. If ignoring hasn’t worked, some children can be jollied along out of an episode. Say something like, ‘Time to stop now – I’ll count to 10’, then give plenty of praise and cuddles if the tantrum stops. In the supermarket, it is sometimes best to just pick up your child and go outside to cut down your embarrassment.
For a major tantrum:
Speak calmly, saying things like ‘I’m here, I won’t let you hurt yourself’. Hold your child tightly, preferably making eye contact. Sometimes you just have to weather the storm till your child calms down. ‘Time out’ can help if you find it impossible to stay calm. Time out involves putting your child somewhere safe but boring (for example a playpen, pushchair or the bottom step) for a couple of minutes. It should never be forced in anger and is not really understood by under 3’s. It may work best for parents to take it themselves!
Some Top tips for cutting down tantrums:
Aim for some happy, relaxed times every day – reading a story, visiting the park, playing a game. Show a good example by remaining calm when times are stressful. This encourages your toddler to do the same. Cut down negatives – constantly saying ‘No’ will add to a toddler’s frustration. Instead, use phrases like ‘later’, or ‘after lunch’. Keep aware of new stresses (potty training, starting nursery) that may need more sympathy. Respect your child’s feelings. Feeling understood will reduce your child’s need for tantrums. Try saying, ‘I know that makes you mad’ or ‘That must have made you feel sad’. Your child will see that their feelings matter and can gradually learn to put them into words, saying “I’m angry” instead of acting it out. Use positive parenting – plenty of praise and attention for behaviour you do want, trying to ignore as much as possible behaviour you don’t. Avoid harsh discipline – shouting and punishments only make tantrums worse. Use humour to defuse tricky situations – silly songs, laughter, making a game of tidying toys can all work brilliantly! A hug or a tickle at the right moment can also change a child’s mood. Most children do grow out of the need for tantrums when they have more language and understanding. But the way you deal with them in the toddler years is important. If they are handled harshly, with responses like yelling and smacking, or if you constantly ignore their feelings and need for comfort, they may well become worse and carry on for longer.

Answer 8

At that age, I ignored it. People understand, and you may get a few laughs, be a little embarrassed, but if he finds throwing fits don't get to you... they'll quit. If they don't.... tell him you will not be able to take him out (and be willing to back it up). My daughter is almost 8 and still likes to throw a good fit here and there. I tell her, it is ok if you want to throw the fit, but go to your room and do it because you know you will not get to (do whatever it was she wanted) now that you threw the fit.
Hope this helps... just wait for the terrible twos, and threes

Answer 9

when my kids were little and we were in public they were expected to behave or we went home. I have thrown more clothes over the top of a rack and walked out of the store got in the car and took them home. they learned fast. if we went to the mall it usually meant lunch and a small treat like a matchbox or hot-wheel car, but if they didn't behave we would just leave no begging to go back or anything.

Answer 10

Take the tantrums away from him, so he can't throw them anymore. Seriously, if I knew what caprichudo meant, I might be able to tell you. Okay, really seriously, ignore him. Remove him from public places if he does it in public.