Tantrums!! Ahhh just shoot me!!!

[**MICHAEL'S MOM**]

Ok so my son is almost 18 months and i think his terrible two's have started early!! That is soo not fair.. I thought i had time..time for what i still have no clue but i thought i had time..

His tantrums started about 2 months ago and has gotten worse..i believe that all toddlers are very smart because my son mostly throws them in public. For instance, we took him to go see the easter bunny and get his picture taken, the whole time we were in line he was screamming and thrashing his body from left to right. Then when i put him down he threw himself on the floor...kicking and screaming!! I was mortified.. I understand that all mothers have gone through this but still its very embarassing,especially when they all turn and stare at you to see what your going to do. I would never hit my son, i do believe in disapline and spanking, but i would never hit my son. But it was just getting to much for me, thank god my mother was with me, she tried but still no luck!! After waiting in line with my sons his screaming finally he stopped.. I was like what the heck!!what could possibly have makde him stop screaming??? It was the bunny!! As soon as my son saw him he just stopped and stared at him..like what the heck is this big white thing waving at me..
Needless to say our easter pic wasnt the best but atleast he wasnt screaming..

But i would like to know what other mothers do in these circumstances in public.. I mean i can handle it at home..i just ignore him.. Or i put him on a time out facing a wall for like 5 minutes but its when it happens in public i just freeze..

Help!!

[cay8099]

My son threw one and only one fit in public. Here's why: I walked away from him right there in the store. I could see him the whole time, but he couldn't see me. He was, I think, 2 at the time, he is now 5 and hasn't thrown one fit in public since.

He is throwing them in public more because he realizes that he's getting the attention there. Good luck.

[Shqiptar]

jkjkjkjkjkjkjkjkRa11en is ugly

[Mikey_BKK]

I used to explain to my daughter when she threw a tantrum that I disliked her behaviour and that I would walk away and come back later, or something like that. Make him understand that he will only get less attention from throwing tantrums, busy yourself with something else, whatever, as long as it is less attention to him
-
The second your toddler realises that he will get more attention by throwing a tantrum, he will continue
-
Michael
Father of Idea, the good idea

[ra11en]

Shqiptar: Oh please - you dont think at 18 months old that a child would throw a tantrum to get attention?! Are you for real lady?!

Most of the reason he is throwing a tantrum is due to not being able to communicate in any other way. Frustration on top of whatever else he is feeling causes a tantrum. In the beginning of the terrible two's this is the main cause of tantrums. Very quickly they learn that they get attention from tantrums and will use them as their primary request mechanism. Our pediatrician gave us great advice when our DD started tantrums at 16 months old (in public or at home). We knelt down to her level, tried to give voice to what she was feeling (mad, sad, scared, etc), calmly and quietly told her why she had to do or not do what we were saying, and then we left her immediate area. 99% of the time, her tantrum ended within seconds and she would seak us out.

You can give your child every minute of you day in attention and love and they will STILL have tantrums. It is NOT a direct reflection of your parenting. You just have to love them through it and help them learn new communication skills and coping mechanisms.

[thmp]

oh no, he is here too? this guy only reads researchs that he is interested in. That's the reason he is lacking so much in other areas of parenting. Now we need to psicoanalyse kids when they throw a tantrum.
Anyways, as many of the posters have said, kids this age throw tamtrums because of frustration, they are unable to comunicate properly and are looking for attention. I would say if he is not doing anything life threatening, then walk away to a place where you can still see him. When his audience is gone, his tantrum will be, too. Be firm and consistent and as ra11en said knee down to his level when explaining to him why his behavior is not acceptable. Good luck!! I know how embarassing these moments could be, but they will pass. Hang in there!

[freckles]

First of all you need to know that tantrums are normal and accept that tantrums are ok and that they are going to happen. Yes, I am for real! lol Dont be embarrassed. Let him have his fit. Kids get mad, adults get mad, but this is your childs way of dealing with his anger.

Ignore, ignore, ignore! When I would see my daughter throw a fit, I would walk away till she finished. If I was shopping, I placed her safely on the floor and did not make eye contact. I pretended to look at items but kept her in my peripheral (sp?) vision.

Dont be embarrassed. It happens. When surrounding adults would look at me during her fit, I would just smile away. I was in control. Hope this helps.

[handm2002]

OMG... I have been there so many times. I recently found this GREAT website and they have an article posted on there about tantrums... just follow this link: http://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/?page_id=3016

Hope this helps and don't give up!

[veronica4x4]

act like nothings happening and he'll realize that tantrums do nothing for him. or just say he didn't get his nap his blanky was in the wash and remind your self it will not last forever

[byronsmom]

my 15 month old son started throwing tantrums. i just move to a area where he wont hurt himself and walk away and sit down and wait till there over. he threw one when i was out in public i just pick him up went to the car and went home. there going to happen i just remember to breathe.