How do you keep a two year old calm (tantrum free) in public without giving in to his every demand?

Answer 1

There's a fantastic advert in the UK where a kid starts to throw a tantrum in a supermarket and the mother throws down the food she is holding, chucks herself on the floor and starts having a tantrum herself. The kid stands there looking shocked and takes her hand meekly when she gets up. I'm not suggesting you go to those lengths but I find that if tantrums are being had, I just kind of screw up my face and do it back! If you can do it with humour but without being mean (cos they sense that) then I've always found it shuts them up. Other poster is right, patience is SO important, but that doesnt mean just putting up with it because they will get worse. They need attention but not indulgence.
The other thing is young kids do tend to get tired and bored quickly, so it is best to plan short shopping trips to reduce the odds of embarrassing behaviour.
There will always be times though when you just have to run run RUN out the shop, part of life!

Answer 2

I have a 2 1/2 year old and, honestly, if he decides he wants to throw a tantrum there isn't much I can do other than just leave. I know everyone says to ignore the tantrum and just go about your business but speaking from first hand experience, for me anyway, that is just almost impossible. I guess if you can manage to ignore him or her, then that's probably your best option, but you certainly don't want to give in to the little sweetie as that will only make your next outing worse.

Answer 3

Keep strong... it's hard!!

DISCLAIMER: this will not keep your child "tantrum free"... there is no such thing... but I'm not afraid to go in public with my child as the tantrums are infrequent and fairly tame

We started by only going places she loved to go... then when she had a fit, we'd talk to her calmly "we have to use our quiet voice when we go out, it's ok to be angry and cry, but we cannot scream" if that didn't work, WE'D LEAVE!

After a few times of leaving the park, chuck e cheese, and one time the zoo she quickly cooled off after we quietly reminded her "don't forget, if we don't behave we have to go home." Kids want to have fun, there's nothing worse than having to leave the park after only 10 minutes. So not being able to get an ice cream from the truck that just pulled up isn't so bad after all. A little disappointing, but not worse than having to go home.

We also incorporate how we want her to behave in our regular conversations, not just warnings when the fit is in full swing at Target. We usually give an extra reminder as we're unbuckling her carseat when we arrive at our location.

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Answer 4

I don't agree in ignoring bad behavior. It should be dealt with immediately and calmly. And having had 3 children I've learned that each child is different and may require different tactics. Much like anything else regarding child rearing, trial and error may be required before you find what works best for you and your child. The main thing to remember is, do not loose your cool. If your child learns that by throwing a tantrum, he/she can control you, the tantrums will continue for years to come. You must show that you are the one in control of the situation. It is also important in today's society that those people around you see you are not loosing control.
I usually remove the child from public view by finding a bathroom or a quiet corner out of view. Then I discipline with what I learned worked best for that child (spanking, removal of privileges, etc.). I have had to return to the same bathroom/corner 2,3, even 4 times before my child learned that I meant business and I was not about to give in to them. In fact, I always made it clear that because of their behavior, I COULD not give them what they wanted.
Just remember to remain calm, don't worry about others around you and what they may think. Odds are they have been there, done that and they are wishing they could help in some way. Or if they haven't been there/done that yet, they will one day. Remind yourself that what they may think or even say, doesn't matter. What matters is, you are the parent of your child and dealing with that child is your job, not theirs.

Answer 5

ha!! Yeah, let me know if you find an answer that works!!! the one thing that has worked for me, well daddy, is to tell my son(who is in the prime of his terrible 2's) that he should scream a little louder, as everyone can not hear him. He looks around and surprisingly, stops throwing a fit!! the thing with kids this age, is they are learning to manipulate every situation to their liking! another thing that might work, (it only works like half the time), is to tell your child if they are good the WHOLE time they can... ride the elmo car(at our local wal mart) on the way out, but ONLY if they are good the WHOLE time we are in the store. If the child starts to act up, remind him of the elmo car. this works only sometimes, because most of the time my son just refuses to listen to anything i say, especially in public!!
I hope i have been of some help, and good luck to you.

Answer 6

I tell my 2 yr. old son that if he wants to do something later he can't act like that in public. (Ex. If you want to go swimming when we get home you have to be a good boy.) You can use it with just about anything. Even saying if you want to play with your truck, barbie, or whatever. It should work for any kid. You just have to know what they really like and use it. Of course you will have to repeat it when they start to behave badly again. You also have to make sure you follow through with your promises, don't promise the child the moon and give him a cracker.

Answer 7

Patience patience patience I don't think u can do anything to stop this. to be honest they do it more often in public like in shopping centre or something because they know u will give in to there reaction to save ur self embarrassment. i think the only thing u can do is ignore them. most people there have been in the same situation with there kids and although there is always the people who tut tut r look at u disapprovingly u have to just ignore these people. Ur child will soon get feed up if he thinks Ur not giving him a reaction. good luck.

Answer 8

Start by getting down on his level and Say That what he did was no Nice or polite and that he or she must be a big girl or big boy and stop doing thta.

If that doesn't work

Try taking away something For everytime they shout out or were not polite when your in public.

If TAHT doesn't work, I gusse you could bribe them.

Say if yu a good Gilr or Good Boy Blah blah blah You geta a Treat Later today.

Answer 9

In that age group over stimulation leads to meltdowns. Its not a discipline problem, its an over load problem, get the baby out of the situation as calmly as you can. Baby will get over it,
it happens to all of us sooner or later and no one will think you are a bad mommy. They are very easy to distract, so before the meltdown take out a few small toys you can let him play with only when you go shopping.

Answer 10

you cant always avoid a tantrum but i get hardly any off my little girl.
She asks for something and ill say later we come back and get it or i say another day we will get it yeah.
Now she runs round the shop "i like this mummy, not have it today tho no,,, anuva day????" people think she is so sweet that she happily puts things back and accepts she can have it another day or later... I do get her a toy each month so she knows she does and can get so another day isnt so bad to her cos she knows it will come.
Still have a problem in sweet shops but thats life and toddlers for you- they grow out of it