How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

Yesterday the 3 of us went to Bed Bath and Beyond. DS was sitting in the front of the cart and DD was in the infant carrier in the big portion or the cart. She was quiet and DS was pretty good.
I had given him his toy car (rubbery car with hard plastic wheels) and we were playing the "Uh OH" game. You know were he drops it says Uh Oh and mommy pickes it up. Well I told him he can't do it again other wise I am taking it and I guess he understood that because he got mad and dropped the car on his sister. She didn't cry but I took it away from him and told him he can't do that. Well that is when he started SCREAMING. Now since he was so loud she started to cry too. People were just looking at me and I took all his toys away which made him more mad and I was just trying to find the fastest route out of that store. I never in all the stores I have been to where he would cry ever felt like I did something wrong. I had people of all ages look at me and wisper. I normally don't care and it doesn't bother but yesterday for some reason it did. Maybe because both were crying, not sure.
How do you feel when you are put in that position? I know that when I see a mom dealing with that in a store I feel for them. I even offered to help one mom in BRU because all of her cloths fell on the floor that she was buying, her one son was screaming because he fell the other one in the cart and her older daughter was just standing their and I felt so bad. I even noticed that when I have them in the double stroller which is a side by side no-one offers to hold the door for me? Granted I have no problem getting the door open one handed and going in but to me it is just common curtisty.

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

I am mortified when they throw fits. And pray it ends quickly. Kids learn early that this is a week spot. Most parents give in quickly in stores. I've left stores just so that the rest of the shoppers don't have to deal with my kids yelling.

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

My son just entered the tantrum phase and I always feel embarassed when he does it in public. Not sure why. I think most people can either relate or understand. But there are always those that will look at you like you are the worst mother on earth. I try to ignore them but it still gets to me. DS is the worst in supermarkets but I refuse to leave because we need food! I get lots of looks.

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

I make sure he is in a safe place and I let him rip.

everybody has seen a toddler throwing a tantrum, nothing to be embarassed about. Thankfully, Noah isn't a tantrum thrower in general, but when he does. I just try to let him go with it!!

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

totally embarassed.....she's done it a few times in restaurants...I pick her up, walk out and tell her that her bahavior is unacceptable, wait till she calms down, and go back in.

It's usually because she wants out of the highchair and wants to walk around

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

Ds isn't old enough to throw tantrums but he definitely can get pissy and scream in stores. For the most part I ignore him, but I did leave a store once because he just would not quit. It was pretty embarassing.

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

I get embarrassed, but I don't give in, I don't want her to learn that mommy will give in the louder she gets in the store. I either distract her with something else, which usually works right now, or we leave.

People look and stare, but they can go scratch, it's none of their business. THat part doesn't bother me at all.

ETA: I find from my own or most of the time witnessing other kids tantrums, i see the most people without kids or older folks are the ones that glare the most or say things under their breath

Message edited 8/14/2007 9:11:27 AM.

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

Embarassed and annoyed.

Embarassed because my toddler is screaming and having a fit and there is nothing I can do. Even trying to distract him with something doesn't work...he'll just take it and throw it on the floor.

Annoyed because people like to shake their heads like I'm a bad parent or something. Also I'm annoyed because when I take him out to the car, it usually stops...

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

No advice but here are some

Reading this got me nervous for what is to come.

Re: How do you feel when your toddler throws a tantrum in a store?

I used to be embarrased but not so much anymore. It happens luckily Roman is pretty redirectable. Now ask me that when #2 comes along in a few months