The screeching, screaming, roaring child in the supermarket...
it's something every shopper has witnessed, and something every parent dreads.
Sooner or later your child, too, will have a melt-down in the cereal aisle.
The big question is how do you best deal with a temper tantrum in the supermarket without having a melt-down of your own? Be prepared with these tips and you and your child will both survive to shop another day.
1.
Keep Your Cool.
Children have tantrums because they have no other way to deal with their immediate overwhelming emotions.
At that moment they are not able to handle their frustrations any other way.
It's up to you to manage your voice and your emotions, even though what you probably want to do is scream right back.
Yes, people will be looking, and you will probably be embarrassed both for yourself and for your child.
Remember that a fair number of other shoppers have been in your shoes.
They understand the inevitability of child tantrums.
What they are watching is how you handle it.
Keep your voice low and controlled so you don't get into a verbal power struggle with your child.
2.
Never, Ever Give In If you ever give in, even if only once, you will be teaching your child that pitching a public fit is the best way to get exactly what he or she wants.
Give in just once and you can count on a tantrum every time you visit the store.
3.
Remove Your Child If your child is not able to calm down in a moment or two, remove him from the situation.
Take him to a quiet corner outside where you can stand or sit beside him while he pulls himself together.
Don't try to talk with him or make him stop screaming until he winds down on his own.
Shouting at a screaming toddler will simply escalate the behavior.
If he is able to get himself quiet, give him a big hug and return to your shopping.
Whatever you do, don't reward him for being "good" with a treat from the store.
You can offer him a treat in the car or when you get home.
If your child is not able to calm down outside, take him home.
Whatever you were shopping for can wait.
If you come to the store prepared with a "battle plan" you will be able to avert many of these melt-downs.
1.
Although it's difficult, try not to shop when your child is hungry or tired.
For most children, mornings are better than late in the day when their emotional resilience is low.
2.
Let your child help you put things in the basket.
It will slow you down, but in the long run will take less time than the alternative.
Even a child sitting in the cart can reach cans and boxes if you guide the cart close enough.
Keep a close eye on what he's putting in the cart.
You may have to discreetly remove a few things you hadn't planned on buying.
The older child can help choose fruits and vegetables.
Use the opportunity to talk about what a bruised apple looks like, and how to tell if the melon is ripe.
3.
Bring along a snack.
It's not a good idea to let your child eat something you haven't yet paid for.
Children don't understand the concept of paying for things first.
If you open a not-yet-paid-for item you will be teaching her that it is OK to just eat things off the shelf.
Bring along raisins or other small snacks from home in a small bag.
4.
Use praise and rewards after a successful shopping trip.
As soon as you leave the store tell your child how proud you are of her for behaving excellently.
Occasionally, if you don't have frozen food in the trunk, stop at the park or do some other short and fun non-shopping-related activity on the way home.
If you can't stop on the way home, do something special together after the groceries are put away.
Don't do this every time or your child will come to expect a special reward every time she's "good.
" Make that mistake and you can expect another "supermarket tantrum" if you ever dare to skip the reward!
it's something every shopper has witnessed, and something every parent dreads.
Sooner or later your child, too, will have a melt-down in the cereal aisle.
The big question is how do you best deal with a temper tantrum in the supermarket without having a melt-down of your own? Be prepared with these tips and you and your child will both survive to shop another day.
1.
Keep Your Cool.
Children have tantrums because they have no other way to deal with their immediate overwhelming emotions.
At that moment they are not able to handle their frustrations any other way.
It's up to you to manage your voice and your emotions, even though what you probably want to do is scream right back.
Yes, people will be looking, and you will probably be embarrassed both for yourself and for your child.
Remember that a fair number of other shoppers have been in your shoes.
They understand the inevitability of child tantrums.
What they are watching is how you handle it.
Keep your voice low and controlled so you don't get into a verbal power struggle with your child.
2.
Never, Ever Give In If you ever give in, even if only once, you will be teaching your child that pitching a public fit is the best way to get exactly what he or she wants.
Give in just once and you can count on a tantrum every time you visit the store.
3.
Remove Your Child If your child is not able to calm down in a moment or two, remove him from the situation.
Take him to a quiet corner outside where you can stand or sit beside him while he pulls himself together.
Don't try to talk with him or make him stop screaming until he winds down on his own.
Shouting at a screaming toddler will simply escalate the behavior.
If he is able to get himself quiet, give him a big hug and return to your shopping.
Whatever you do, don't reward him for being "good" with a treat from the store.
You can offer him a treat in the car or when you get home.
If your child is not able to calm down outside, take him home.
Whatever you were shopping for can wait.
If you come to the store prepared with a "battle plan" you will be able to avert many of these melt-downs.
1.
Although it's difficult, try not to shop when your child is hungry or tired.
For most children, mornings are better than late in the day when their emotional resilience is low.
2.
Let your child help you put things in the basket.
It will slow you down, but in the long run will take less time than the alternative.
Even a child sitting in the cart can reach cans and boxes if you guide the cart close enough.
Keep a close eye on what he's putting in the cart.
You may have to discreetly remove a few things you hadn't planned on buying.
The older child can help choose fruits and vegetables.
Use the opportunity to talk about what a bruised apple looks like, and how to tell if the melon is ripe.
3.
Bring along a snack.
It's not a good idea to let your child eat something you haven't yet paid for.
Children don't understand the concept of paying for things first.
If you open a not-yet-paid-for item you will be teaching her that it is OK to just eat things off the shelf.
Bring along raisins or other small snacks from home in a small bag.
4.
Use praise and rewards after a successful shopping trip.
As soon as you leave the store tell your child how proud you are of her for behaving excellently.
Occasionally, if you don't have frozen food in the trunk, stop at the park or do some other short and fun non-shopping-related activity on the way home.
If you can't stop on the way home, do something special together after the groceries are put away.
Don't do this every time or your child will come to expect a special reward every time she's "good.
" Make that mistake and you can expect another "supermarket tantrum" if you ever dare to skip the reward!
Source...