So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

I took Liam to the mall today (his is just 2).
He was good and kept asking to ride the little rides. He really held it together as I went store to store so I said yes, at the end.

Well, after the ride was over he wanted more and started freaking. I told him no and tried to strap him into the stroller when he lost his sh**. So, I struggled to get him in and I couldn't. I picked him up and carried him to the doors where I was able to get him in.

As I was in the vestibule, walking out, one family walked by and we both kind of laughed and smiled.

Then, this 20-something girl walks by on her cell and goes, "Oh God, I am so glad that's not my kid". I snapped my head up and said, "that's really nice, bit**" (you know because I am classy and took the high road! )

Hear I am thinking I am dealing with the tantrum in the best way. I stayed calm, cool and collected and I walked him out.

Please tell me that my child isn't a raving brat for these tantrums. I mean they are getting BAD! I never give in and I feel like I am dealing with it correctly, but, then something like this happens and I am like..yup.. I'm the worst mom and I am raising a horrible kid.

Message edited 7/12/2011 6:25:11 PM.

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Wow. I don't get why people are shocked when kids have tantrums. I think you handled it fine.

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

DS is perfect

Honestly, I do every thing I possibly can and I read every parenting book in existence to avoid such a scenario. It hasn't failed to hit me, especially with those stupid rides at the mall. I don't know what it is about them, they are so seductive and then so addictive. DS played with something that was off (out of order). I was tired so I let him. It was such a nice break, they put massaging chairs by them. I got my massage he played, but spent 20 minutes and didn't get sick of it. When it was time to go, &^#$@!!!!
A mom was walking by and her kid was eyeing the ride she quickly misdirected him, and I said "we're done, you want to play" she said "oh no, I'll never get him off it"

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

what a b*tch!

You handle them as well as you can.

Though for me.. AJ pulls that crap and her happy butt goes into time out.. screaming crying I dont care. I pick her up, put her on the floor and let her bawl. I know others may find it mean for the other children as my child screams, but she did learn. Crying, screaming, freaking and wailing, kicking, acting up will NOT get you a damned thing with me other than time by yourself to cry. I ask when shes done or after awhile if she is ok. Sometimes she'd say no and cry more, I'd leave her there. Or "no, I want.." nope you stay there. Are you going to be a big girl? I'd get a yes, and we'd walk out.

Honestly we did that when she was smaller but she's not done it since. She still has a fuss when we try to leave a play area but I generally redirect with sticker, treat, or 'well be right back' (which I HATE that last one).

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

I think you handled it fine as well. DD had a trantrum at the mall a few months ago. Full blown tantrum, screaming, ripping off her socks and shoes (it was the middle of winter) and people around me were staring. Like this has never happened to them???

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Totally normal. I bet he is tired or over stimulated. Better day tomorrow and that young beatch on the phone will get hers in years to come

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Yes, my DS also just turned 2 on June 26. Everything is a battle. He is very demanding and I am firm that a "please" should accompany any request. Yeeeeah, he's not quite on board with that. This morning he screamed and cried because he only wanted the pull-up with Lightning McQueen on it. Not the one with Mater and NOT the one with Mater and Lightning on it. The horror! I can't let him pick though because we will quickly run out of the Lightning ones. I'm not buying a 42 pack of pull-ups for the 12 diapers he liked! He had 2 choices: the one we pulled out of the box or no underwear. If he went with no underwear, then we couldn't go to Gymboree class. He quickly picked the one that came out of the box. Tonight he cried because he wanted the Little Bear toothpaste. Unfortunately I didn't realize that this toothpaste was almost totally dry. I gave him the bottle but he was hysterical that he couldn't have actual toothpaste. Again, he had 2 choices: hold the empty Little Bear bottle or actually get toothpaste out of the Dora bottle. He picked Dora.

I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that giving DS choices really works wonders. I don't give in to the tantrum and it sounds like you don't either! I feel like a mean mommy in the moment but I truly feel like the more work we put in now to shape their behavior, the more polite and well-behaved they will become. I know it can be so hard to stay patient and rational when you've spent all day with them! Good luck! We can do it!

Message edited 7/12/2011 8:02:08 PM.

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Awww, hon, after three kids, I can say that's par for the two yr. old course!!!! Don't mind that girl!!!! You did great!!!!! Mary

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Children are children and will do what they will. Your child is just like others; you are not raising some beast. That woman had some nerve and will understand one day if and when she bears a child.

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Posted by Lucky

Children are children and will do what they will. Your child is just like others; you are not raising some beast. That woman had some nerve and will understand one day if and when she bears a child.

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

in the winter I took DS to the mall for a short trip and to the little playground. he likes to push his stroller rather than be in it, so I let him push it until we got to the doors to leave the mall. and holy hell broke loose. I had 2 people, one on each side of the vestibule watching me while this is going on. I tried getting DS in..finally do but couldnt strap him. so of course he's thrashing himself and slides down.

So i scoop him up, carry him and manage to push the stroller out to the car with everyone looking at me like im F*** insane.

It happens. Until that 20 something walks in your shoes, I would have told her to mind her business too.

We all have our days. Kids will push you to your very limit.

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Hmm, that sounds like a normal MOMENT in my house! If it's not my 5 year old, it's my 1 year old.
Put it this way, my 1 year old is SO stubborn that if I even mutter the word "no", as in, "No, we don't have anymore cherries," to my daughter, he flips his flucking lid! Seriously. The word no, in ANY context, sends him into a rage.
You did exactly what I would have done. And while we're on it, I'm not proud of it, but I cursed out some woman in the Target parking lot a few weeks ago because I was trying to put my tantruming 1 year old in his carseat and clearly wasn't moving fast enough for her, so she was laying on the horn. Not my best moment, but damn it felt good to tell her to F off!

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Totally normal - you handled it perfectly. So far I've been lucky and avoided public tantrums but I'm sure it's just a matter of time.


Before I had DS I knew nothing about children and I probably would have thought the same thing that 20 year old did, I just was never obnoxious enough to say something.

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Posted by Teachergal

Yes, my DS also just turned 2 on June 26. Everything is a battle. He is very demanding and I am firm that a "please" should accompany any request. Yeeeeah, he's not quite on board with that. This morning he screamed and cried because he only wanted the pull-up with Lightning McQueen on it. Not the one with Mater and NOT the one with Mater and Lightning on it. The horror! I can't let him pick though because we will quickly run out of the Lightning ones. I'm not buying a 42 pack of pull-ups for the 12 diapers he liked! He had 2 choices: the one we pulled out of the box or no underwear. If he went with no underwear, then we couldn't go to Gymboree class. He quickly picked the one that came out of the box. Tonight he cried because he wanted the Little Bear toothpaste. Unfortunately I didn't realize that this toothpaste was almost totally dry. I gave him the bottle but he was hysterical that he couldn't have actual toothpaste. Again, he had 2 choices: hold the empty Little Bear bottle or actually get toothpaste out of the Dora bottle. He picked Dora.

I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that giving DS choices really works wonders. I don't give in to the tantrum and it sounds like you don't either! I feel like a mean mommy in the moment but I truly feel like the more work we put in now to shape their behavior, the more polite and well-behaved they will become. I know it can be so hard to stay patient and rational when you've spent all day with them! Good luck! We can do it!

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

Listen, by dealing with these tantrums like this now, you are preventing a 5yo tantrum later. Those are 100x worse!

They call it the terrible twos for a reason. It's a battle of wills and you have to establish who makes the rules and that this behavior is not to be rewarded.

That girl was a Bit**. Kudos to you for having the balls to say it. I wouldn't have...

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

My DD will be 2 in Sept. Totally the age!!!! You're a great mom!!! It's so hard and people who don't have kids don't know (what a nasty girl she was)!! I took dd to the mall recently (Smithhaven) and they have a thing on the floor u can dance on etc....I took dd out of her stroller and letr her dance on it (another boy was too)...well she kept running away so I said no more (mind u I had 2 recent back surgeries so really couldn't move well)I put her back in the stroller and she was crying , screaming, having a fit! The mom of the little boy was like that's the problem I can't get him back in the stroller...people were looking @ me but I just pushed her in the stroller and kept walking and told her I told u to stop running away and u didn't listen so we have to go bye bye...I felt mean but I would feel worse if I had no. Conyrol over the situation or if dd ran so far and fast I couldn't grab her (she runs fast lol)...F the people that comment and stare!!!

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

I tell DS that he can have one ride. When I see its slowing down, I give him a warning so its not a shock.

Plus at 2 he hasn't mastered the art of communication - he still get frusterated and doesn't know how to show it.

Re: So pizzed.. Please tell me other toddlers do this?

And this is why I avoid rite aid with ds. Without fail, massive breakdowns. He almost ripped my bra off one day because i wouldnt let him get 4 cars. My boob fell out the bottom of my bra, I was mortified, the girl behind the counter was i just looked at her and said this is birth control for you and walked out. Shiit happens. I avoud those rides in the mall.