Public discipline

Do you discipline your child in public?

DD is 2.5 and adjusting to new baby. She was a terror today. Everything a tantrum. Took her to playground and time to go she flipped. I tried reasoning. Offering a reward. Etc she was screaming, crying and physically kicking and thrashing so I could not get her into stroller. I had to give her time out and she screamed bloody murder. Finally she calmed down but I was embarrased. Other moms staring. Did I do something wrong?

Any tips. I need help. DD was never this bad. It's been unbearable lately.

Public discipline

You did nothing wrong. It has happened to the best of us!

Re: Public discipline

You did the RIGHT thing!
We have all been there.

Re: Public discipline

You did the right thing, not the easy thing. Your DD will benefit in the long run from your consistency. I know how embarrassing it can be, but most of us have been there....myself many times.

Public discipline

I think it's just natural that people stop and look. You definitely didn't do anything wrong. I would have done the same if nothing else was working.

Re: Public discipline

u did nothing wrong. I have no problem giving a time out in public if need be. i've carried my kid out of the mall screaming like a lunatic. it happens to all of us.

Re: Public discipline

I've been there and done that. I have even picked my kids up screaming and crying and left places because they were throwing tantrums. I've been mortified before but I want my kids to know there are consequences for their actions.

Public discipline

Been there many times. I gather her up, fireman carry if need be, and we leave. I've left parties, stores, restaurants, doesn't matter.

Re: Public discipline

Lol! I had to read this 3 times to find out what you did.
You did the right thing... It's only the beginning!

Re: Public discipline

They were probably staring bc they were impressed you stood your ground.

Re: Public discipline

We have all been there. Usually moms are looking because they are remembering what is was like when their kids were that age. I have had people comment many times that hang in there it gets better lol or oh I remember those days. Just be consistent with discipline and you will have good days and bad days. I'm not going to say it gets better lol it just gets different.

Public discipline

nothing is worse than the parents who do nothing. That's embarrassing. What you did is called being the parent! Good for you!

Re: Public discipline

Everyone with kids has been there. good for you for standing your ground .... Kids will be kids and if someone wants to stare and judge you just smile back ... You are taking care of the situation not doing nothing (which drives me nuts when kids are wild and uncontrolled while parents stand there oblivious to their snowflake wiggin out and say/do nothing)

Re: Public discipline

Honestly - IMO, you did the RIGHT thing.
A mom TRYING to dicipline or deal w/ a melting down kid gets the sympathetic "i feel for you, I've been there" look from me .....

The Mom w/ her head in her phone pretending it's not happening gets the stink eyes.

Re: Public discipline

You did the right thing. They were probably staring b/c they were empathizing with you. We've all been there before.

DS has had many tantrums leaving day care where I couldn't get him into his car seat. At 9 months pregnant, I didn't have the strength or energy to fight him, so I'd let him cry and scream and all the other parents saw. When he'd calm down, we'd go home. Sometimes, there's just no other options!

Re: Public discipline

You did the best you could we have all been there, some more than others my kids were big time tantrum throwers.

Public discipline

I gave my DS a time out camping this weekend. He hates TO so he always screams and kicks. I think the entire camp ground knew about it.

I do what I have to do. People will stare but hey I'm not hurting my kid and he will grow up to know consequences. You did the right thing IMO.

Re: Public discipline

At that age I gave a warning. Counted down from twenty, and spoke softly in almost a whisper. If the tantrum lasted for a while, More than a minute or two, I said we are leaving now if you can't calm yourself down in the next minute. It took us leaving once to really have it sink in. Edit, you did everything right. I am sure you got the I have been there look.

Message edited 6/8/2015 9:56:10 PM.

Re: Public discipline

You did absolutely nothing wrong. We've all been there. If I had been a mom in that park I would have said that to you on your way out...I've had that happen once or twice and it was such a relief to have another mom tell me it was ok. Usually they're staring because they are remembering when their child acted the same way....it's like you're in a trance of memory horror

Re: Public discipline