How do you act when your child is screaming at you to get something you won't buy?

Question

If your child keeps screaming,"Get me bubble gum! I want it! Waaah!",and you're inside a store, it disturbs everyone. It's even worse in a restaurant, because people want it quiet. It's usually hard. If it's your sister or brother, how would you put up with it?

Answer 1

My kids havent done that because they know that when I say NO I mean it. Its called DISCIPLINE! I use it. I taught my kids manners too. Its amazing what can happen when parents do that. You might just end up with a kid who isnt a spoiled brat!

I used to work in retail and have seen my share of tantrums. We had one kid that screamed for 20 minutes while his mother was checking out. She did NOTHING! It was annoying. I dont want my shopping trip ruined by some screaming brat, why would I ever let MY kid to that??

Answer 2

I wouldn't put up with it, if it was in a store i would put down anything i have chosen to buy and picked up the screaming child and tell the child "we are leaving now" and then when we are outside the store I would bend down and get at eye level with this child and speak to him very sternly (not yelling)
If you cannot behave we are going home, If you stay quiet then i will get you a treat.

In a restaurant, I would quickly wave over the waitress and ask her to doggy bag the remaining part of the meal and leave. No use continuing to bother patrons who want peace and quiet.

If its a sister or brother - then that's a tough problem cuz you as the kid who isn't doing anything just want to shop or eat your meal or whatever and the screaming sibling is ruining it for you.

If i were in this situation and my mom/dad whomever and i were out with a screaming sibling and it was ruining our time together and because we had to leave in such a haste because the sibling was causing a fuss (therby not buying the items) i would hope that my mom/dad/whomever would take me out alone at another time to get those items. (especially if it was something i needed - which is why we went out in the first place) (hope that makes sense)

Answer 3

It may be inconvenient, but take her out and have her sit in the car (with you there of course). You won't have to do this more than a few times for her to stop doing that.

Teach how you want her to act by telling her, showing her and practicing. During a quiet time at home say, "Honey, we need to work on how you behave when we're out. I want you to use your inside voice and when I tell you that you can not have something, I want you to say, 'OK, Mom'. If you keep asking or start screaming or whining, I'm going to take you to the car for a time out" You may need to add another consequence when you get home. Make it one that works. No TV or games for a whole day. Take away a favorite toy. Early bedtime. Whatever will work. I'm assuming she's a preschooler, but you may have to adjust if she's younger.

After you tell her what you want her to do, do a role reversal. Have her be the mommy and say "No, you can't have that." And you be her and say, "OK, Mom." Then have her do it. Practice several times inclucing as you get to the store before she gets out of the car.

If she does start screaming, stay calm. We've all been there. It's not your fault and she's not trying to embarrass you. Just calmly (or act like you're calm) walk out and put her in her car seat. Then tell her she can not break your no screaming rule. The store won't fall apart if you leave your groceries. You could tell someone you'll be right back if you want.

Same thing in a restaurant. Try to bring things to keep her occupied. I keep special coloring books and markers in the car that they use when we have to wait someplace. Maybe small doll or some legoes or trains or ponies or ?

Whatever you do, don't buy the candy or whatever she wants. That will train her, too.

Be consistant and love her. She will learn and soon you'll forget about this phase until you see a poor mother with a screaming child.

Answer 4

Well, I have two boys who are now 10 and 12 yrs old. If they want something and I tell them no, I tell them once and that is it. Now they know when I say no it means no. But when they were younger they thought that screaming and having fits would work. How I handled it then was I would do one of two things. First I would just let them have their fit second I would pick them up and leave. I can tell you that I had to go to the customer service desk at several stores and apologize for leaving carts filled with stuff in whatever asile we were in. But the boys learned that I am not afraid to just leave if they didn't act properly.

Answer 5

I ignore my child and keep shopping. If it gets too bad, we'll leave the store.

After seeing some of the parents on here answer "I'd buy it, then punish them/take the toy back/etc.", I no longer wonder why the world is filling up with selfish, ignorant people. Good grief people, YOU are in charge- if you act like your child is in charge, that's exactly what will happen. The child will expect things their way every time. And the parents will be mad when, 10 years down the road, they run up on that one person who won't tolerate it and knocks the crap out of them and sets them straight.

Answer 6

If it is a toy my mom would buy it and then drive to the local goodwill and donate it. We stopped screaming for toys after the 2nd time because we knew she would buy it but we wouldn't get it. If it is in a restaurant then take them and leave so you can tell them to stop and it will embarass them just as much as it does you. We had a lady once that made her son apologize to everyone at the restaurant once when he started screaming.

Answer 7

I have delt with this...long ago. I have 4 kids...and there is always one who wants to act up. There was once I literally got up just as dinner was served and paid for dinner and left. None of us got a bite to eat. Samething happened in the store and I left the basket in the middle of the ilse and grab my sons hand and walked out. The kid now know that I will not take them anywhere if they act in such behavior and that I will not put up with it. Make sure the kid knows this is unacceptable and if you want to act this way, you can go home and sit on your bed until the behavior changes...stick to your guns and don't give or they will keep walking on you.

Answer 8

I have lots of experience, since I have three younger brothers. If you want to keep them quiet, you MUST let them know who's the boss- you, or the parent, or whatever. Tell them that there will be no chance of getting it unless they stop screaming. If they are young enough, try and distract them- if not, then you'll have to just straight out and tell them that they are NOT getting it and that you will not put up with such despicable behavior, much less buy them what they want.

Answer 9

Remove the child from the store, take him/her home, find someone to watch the child tell the child that until they can behave appropriately they will no longer be going to the store with you and stick to your guns. That's what I did when my daughter threw a tantrum in the store. Didn't take her anywhere in public unless she needed to be there, (day care/doctor appointments), for six months. Once I started taking her again she never threw a tantrum again.

Answer 10

I had a very simple method of stopping these outbursts.I would tell my daughters any acting up in the store and we would immediately leave the store.It was very effective.Sometimes the cries would get louder on the way out of the store.They quickly learned that if they misbehaved there were consequences.Tell your kids the expectations but be prepared to back it up so you keep your credibility.