Handling Public Toddler Tantrums

Parents generally dread going shopping with their toddlers because every outing invariably ends in a display of temper. What are toddler temper tantrums? These are violent displays of temper by one to three year olds. Generally the tantrum includes shrieking, kicking, biting, hitting and flopping on the ground.

One of the most embarrassing of all times for parents is when a toddler throws a tantrum in a public space, generally a store. Children are always going to see something they simply have to have, and then the trouble starts.

There are several very good books on the subject of handling toddler temper tantrums that can be quite helpful. In fact, investing in one is well worth the expense. Parents will find the following ideas on how to handle public displays of toddler temper useful as well.

One way of avoiding the tantrum problem is to buy only what you need and have a list handy so that you minimize the time you spend in the store. If you are moving along at a good clip, the child has less time to focus on things, and start wanting them.

Quite a few parents have found that simply ignoring a child during a tantrum episode is an effective way to stop the tantrum. Now this is easier to do at home and the child soon runs out of steam realizing it’s not getting anywhere. Little harder to do in a public place like a grocery store, but as soon as the child sees that the parent is simply not paying any attention, it does often snap out of it.

Another method that works is to distract the child. You can do this by picking something up that you think will interest the child and show it to them, getting them to stop shrieking long enough to listen to you. This one is a toss-up, as some children in the throes of tantrum drama are well past the distraction stage.

Now it also depends on where you are when the tantrum is happening. In church or at a reception for example, in the middle of the sermon, the only thing you can do is grab the toddler and rush out. This is not always possible, for example in the store where you do need the milk and eggs. In impossible situations it is still wise to leave your trolley and get out. You can always calm the child down before returning to make your purchases anew.

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