Screaming in stores

Siouxxsie - posted on 06/27/2011

My thought when it comes to my kids & how they behave in public is that, it's OK to discipline my children in order to teach them right from wrong & what is acceptable 'public' behavior & what is not. I don't know that any of my kiddos have ever gotten to that extreme, but there have been nice episodes of meltdowns in any given store. My first reminder to my youngest is to make sure his listening ears are on & that the volume is turned up. Secondly, make sure he & I are making eye contact & that he is listening to me. Then I simply start explaining that his behavior is not OK & that he needs to get rid of his 'uglies' oober fast or Mama's gonna have to either put his nose to the wall for time out & if that doesn't work, Mama's gonna have to pinch & no one likes that. It's not the quickest method of stopping the behavior at the moment, but I guess I'd rather take my time in trying to work w/him & explain what's going on & why we do or do not do something & that 'ugly' behavior isn't going to get you your way than to flip out on him. I know we all want to get our shopping done super fast & we as Mom's never have time to get everything done, but I guess to me, if you take that time at that moment, hopefully it gets through to them & the outbursts occur less frequently. I make sure that at the end of our conversations he understands what I've said, then we hug, kiss, I tell him no matter what I love him & on we go to finish up & get the heck out of there. :0) Every kiddo is different & every situation is different. I think that in your case, your little one is wanting to leave the store, so don't give in to him on that. Maybe let him know, the longer he throws his fit, the longer you guys will have to be in the store. Try a time out area, just pull the buggy over somewhere & wait until he stops all while reiterating how much longer it's going to take if he keeps throwing his tantrum. Or perhaps a distraction of a sorts, instead of handing him things to keep him occupied, find ways he can "help" you get the things you need at the store. Maybe give him a shopping list/prepare him prior to leaving for the store. Like a treasure hunt & big boy helping Mama sort of 'game'. Best of luck to you on this, I know the frustrations, but in the end, you will find something that works for you & your little one. :0)

Kim - posted on 06/26/2011

I don't get the opportunity to take one at a time too often. They act the worst when they have to be in the stroller. I wish more stores had the double seats up top cause they seem to do fine in those. Maybe I just need to stop using the stroller! lol

Sara - posted on 06/25/2011

First I would if at all possible not take him into stores. When my twins were little I only did the shopping when hubby was home to watch them so I could do it quickly. Otherwise I would ignore him as much as possible.

Amanda - posted on 06/25/2011

It really is embarrassing when they scream in a store... my son will often start fussing, never a real scream but crying and whining.... I just do what i do at home. Our time out is nose in the corner... so i ask him if he wants me to find a corner... of course he does not want that... but if he does not stop i will find a corner get him out of the cart and put him in that corner.... he stays in there much longer at home but it gets the point across to him that i wont put up with it.

I was going to suggest that you leave the store when he gets like that but since that is what he wants i am not sure that would teach him to stop his screaming. Good luck, these issues can be tricky. :)