I could hardly hold her because she was going all limp. She was SOBBING so loud, and it seemed like everyone was looking. I looked for a spot to put her down and talk to her. She wouldn't stand and ended up lying down flat on her back in tears. I tried reasoning with her, offered to take her to the pet store, but it was clear she just needed to cry. Again I carried her, this time over to a soft bench. I put her down and let her cry for a while. OMG I swear EVERYONE was staring at us. That was the only stressful thing about the whole situation. I gave up sooner than I probably "should" of and took her down to the pet store. There she slowly came out of "it", but she was still a toddler on the edge. :P Finally she was calm enough that I could get her organized to go home.
There is something really empowering about getting through a public tantrum without losing your cool. So many times I see people yelling at their kids making the situation worse. I am always sympathetic because it is so hard to deal with, at the same time I take notes on what NOT to do. Next time if it happens I will take her to a place that is a bit more private so I can let her work it out.
4 comments:
I think that it is great that you deal with her tantrums like that. Logan has started to do a similiar thing and it is really hard when people are just staring at you while you are trying to let them figure things out. One of the things that works really well for us is that I always keep something that he really likes in our diaper bag (toy, stuffed animal, car, etc) and he will usually take to that instead of whatever it is that we are trying to move on from.
I think you did an awesome job!! Too many people in public places forget that they too have been in that exact same situation at one time or another. Its hard not to loose your cool in a toddler tantrum, especially the ones that take place in the eyes of a million complete strangers!
You are such an awesome mommy, "Pookie" is so lucky to have such a loving and caring Mom that goes above and beyond to teach her the ways of the world!!
Kudos to you!
I'm with you on that one! Owen hasn't had a meltdown YET but I see people yelling or even smacking their kids in public, and I think "I'm not going to be like that!" Great Job, Mama!! It's hard to keep cool when you can almost read peoples minds!
Sounds like you did a great job and that Pookie just needed to be sad for a moment. I try to be really calm and soothing when the babeola loses it. Sometimes I tell her I am frustrated with her when I am feeling stressed, but never yell or scream,mostly I just focus on redirection or outright leaving.
M
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