Calming Albert

Well I am quite lucky now as my kids never have tántrums in public anymore although I really can identify with Albert in the supermarket when my kids were younger! I never gave in to these tantrums though as apart from making life harder for myself the next time they decided to try throwing/ a fit it really isn't fair on the children as they grow up believing they will get whatever they want if they scream loudly enough! I do remember when my eldest was about 3 and we were in town , I had to get him some new shoes and was really short of time before I had to get to work. There were lots of childrens rides and he kept asking to go on one and I kept calmly explaining that Mummy didn't have time today but we would go back the next day and he could have a ride then...the next thing I knew he ran off and sat on one of these machines and took money out of his pocket and the ride started. I am quite strict and thought there was no way I was letting him enjoy the ride when he had put himself in danger by running off to get on this ride and had been told so many times no! As I took him out he started screaming and kicking at me , he was in a real fit and I gave him a smack on the bottom to bring him to his senses! The next thing I knew was that a very well dressed elderly woman started to walk towards us with a stern expression and I though 'not today lady, I really haven't got the time or patience for someone telling me how wrong it is to give your child a smack on the bum' as she looked like that was what she was going to do! She came right up to me and said 'Do you know it is so nice to see someone with the common sense to give their child a smack when they need it rather than give in to them and mess up their way of thinking the world should work'! i was totally gobsmacked.It just shows that I am not the only one who thinks it is wrong to give in to a child when they have a tantrum! I would also like to point out I do NOT believe in child abuse - this was a light smack on the bottom and i have NEVER hurt my children! xxx

Oh that it so funny, yes we have all been there, but I like the way the man dealt with it. I remember my little one have a terrible two tantrum shopping and a woman with a child the same age looking at me and saying its your turn today, my one was like that yesterday' its only the people without small ones that don't understand. I have never given in to the item they want or bought sweets to appease. I do not reward for bad behaviour, just let them calm in their own time cos at that age that is their way of communicating frustration as they may not have the words. Ellie :D

Reading up to the man and cart I found out that this is my favorite joke I used to tell everyone.But I find it a good example of auto suggestion to improve your traits. For example if I get angry with my wife I make it a point to ponder whether I have been a good husband to that gentle lady.Doesn't she deserve more for her patience and support to me.The next moment the temper evaporates and one can see me in the surrender pose.

Lol well I was a it like Albert I just used to say Count to 10 Gabs do not let her get to you just stay calm while you are in the Shop and I did but then my Daughter would get told of when I put her in the Car lol and yes she would still be screaming sometimes when I put her in the car after being in the Shop

LOL that was funny but I'm sure very true to some people. Everytime we go grocery shopping I would always try to find those carts that are like cars as my son loved those. He would stay in there the whole time and not complain at all. He would be munching on something at the same time though to keep him distracted. As he got older we had him help with pushing the cart and now he helps with selecting the foods to buy. We give him the option to choose two items to add to our list and that usually takes up a lot of time because he can't decide what to buy LOL He now helps with putting the items on the counter and if we have a chance to use the self checkout, I have him do all the scanning and I bag them. I found when I get him involved he quit whining and actually enjoyed helping out. At times he has whined and made noises when we have gone shopping for other things and I have taken him aside and given him the hard word. If that doesn't work its out the door we go. I have also on occasion had a quick chat with him before we go into the store and tell him this is all that mommy is buying and that I need his help in finding them. It works most of the time. There is no mucking around with his father though. What he says goes and there is not ifs about it LOL