Did/do your kids have tantrums or meltdowns in public?

[MushyMushy]

Poll coming.

ETA: don't want to start a debate or anything, I was just curious. I was reading a thread on the Theme Parks board and so many people seemed to believe that EVERY parent has gone through public tantrums or meltdowns with their kids.

 

[Robinrs]

No. Eddie Murphy explained it in a skit loooong ago.

 

[lindakmonty]

I think ALL kids have had a tantrum or meltdown at one time or another...but ds5 is very well behaved and he knows that there are consequenses for his actions. He got out of those REAL quick!! I do NOT give him what he wants...they have to know who the child is and who the parent is!!!

 

[offwegotoneverland]

My Mom says DS is the poster child...the one that you get for having a baby first in your family/friends age group that convinces everyone else it's safe to reproduce.

He even eats veggies!

 

[MushyMushy]

My Mom says DS is the poster child...the one that you get for having a baby first in your family/friends age group that convinces everyone else it's safe to reproduce.

He even eats veggies!

See, I liked having the bad kid first. He made the next one seem like a breeze.

 

[fanofdisney]

There were really no terrible 2s, but the worst was age 3 1/2 to 5. Our pediatrician said if they skip it early, it will happen later. He is 5 1/2 now, and still has a bad one from time to time.

What bugs me is when people (especially those with kids!) stare while it's going on. I'd love to say a few choice words back...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I have 4 kids, so I can't give one answer. My first was a handful, or so I thought. She had some tantrums, but could be reasoned with. My second didn't have many. My third had one, on NYE when he was about 3-4yo. I brought him home and it turned out that he was sick, but I hadn't realized it. My 4th child was a walking temper tantrum from the time he was 1 until the time he was 5yo. He was my 4th, so I knew how to parent. He was a different child, though. If he had of been my first I would have questioned my parenting abilities. Instead, he was my 4th and I questioned my parenting abilities. And wondered how I was going to survive the early years. He's now 6 1/2 yo and still a challenge, but he's also a joy, so at least now there is a balance.

So no, not all kids have tantrums. However, a lot of it has to do with their personalities. How the parents handle it, of course, does influence things, but it's hard to change a personality, try as I did for a while.

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

I guess I'm the bad parent. My kids have meltdowns in public. At first I was going to vote at ages 2 to 4 because that's when people expect them to have meltdowns, but I see it more now that they are ages 4 and 6. When they were younger and started to get upset, they could easily be distracted and they would forget about what they wanted in the first place. I do have to say that my 6 year old has meltdowns less and less as he gets older and he definitely remembers when we have left someplace because of his behavior.

 

[Aidensmom]

Mine doesn't have them often, but when he does, they are doozies. He didn't really start having any until he was 3, he is almost 5 now, and still has one on occassion.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

See, I liked having the bad kid first. He made the next one seem like a breeze.

See my first 2 were a breeze, this last one, oy ve. He could drive the Pope to commit a mortal sin.

 

[lovemickeya]

There were really no terrible 2s, but the worst was age 3 1/2 to 5. Our pediatrician said if they skip it early, it will happen later. He is 5 1/2 now, and still has a bad one from time to time.

What bugs me is when people (especially those with kids!) stare while it's going on. I'd love to say a few choice words back...

I could not agree more- I have 5 autistic son - so we have meltdowns everywhere. I get so upset with people who stare and make comments- I have had a guy come up to me while my son is freaking out and say "You know if you spank him he would not do that" .... He did get a few choice words from me...

 

[JennyMominRI]

No,They didn't.. I don't think it was because I am the Mommy Supreme or anything...I think I just got lucky

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

My DS, once attempted the temper tantrum routine when he was about 3. We had just gotten his food and were about to sit down. I don't even remeber what it was about, but he didn't get too far. I took his food which we hadn't even opened, and threw it away. He then went home and had soup for dinner and was put into his bed for the night. He never tried it again.

 

[offwegotoneverland]

See, I liked having the bad kid first. He made the next one seem like a breeze.

Personally I just chose to quit while I was ahead...and my brother got the oh my goodness child instead!

 

[ReggieB]

DS5 was great, we never had tantrums, and I always had a huge sense of relief that it had all been avoided when watching other people's kids have them. That'll teach me, he has some real doozy's now. I'm completely mortified as I just don't know where they have come from.

 

[Keli]

I was always able to keep dd in line in public. She may have pulled some stunts when we were at home but not in public.

 

[anewvance]

When my little sister was a toddler, I would take her out places like the store (there is 13 years between us). On a few occasions she had a tantrum or meltdown and since then I was so afraid of it happening when I had kids. It happens I know... but it's so embarrassing!

I've been lucky with my girls, they are big on if they want something they put it on their birthday or Christmas list. Or if they are tired, we just leave whereever we are.

My son has been different, he's known for public meltdowns. I've had to leave my meal a number of times to take him outside. But funny enough, since he's turned two, it's gotten much better. He's actually a pleasure and adorable to take out.

Taking all 3 of them out at the same time can prove to be a challange and I always say I can't do it and all. But when I do, I end up afterward saying what a nice time I had with them and need to do it more often... so go figure!

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

There were really no terrible 2s, but the worst was age 3 1/2 to 5. Our pediatrician said if they skip it early, it will happen later. He is 5 1/2 now, and still has a bad one from time to time.

What bugs me is when people (especially those with kids!) stare while it's going on. I'd love to say a few choice words back...

I'm so glad to hear that it's not uncommon for kids ages 3 1/2 to 5 to have them. I thought my kids were abnormal. I'm not so suprised that people stare if they are being loud. It's hard not to, but it drives me nuts when they shake their hands and make comments. I've always wanted to say, "Here ya go. You handle the situation, and let them deal with my child since they seem to know what I'm doing wrong."

 

[Curious]

Did/do your kids have tantrums or meltdowns in public?

Not since we got rid of them. Prior to that - yeah, frequently.

 

[Jpgirl]

My first child,dd was little Miss Mary Sunshine. She would occassionaly have a melt down but not too bad....... UNTIL she was a TEENAGER. She's 21 no and a lot better. My ds must be related to the poster whose child would make the pope crazy. I have to preface ds' behavoir with a disclaimer though, he's Bipolar and suspected Asperger's autism. I got so used to leaving restaurants and baskets of food in the grocery store(the store was kind enough to hold it for me so I went back and got it), that I gave up being embarrassed. Now he's 19 and still has tantrums, I do get embarrassed because he will go outside and curse so bad that it would make a sailor faint. At least he doesn't do it often (outside) because it embarrasses him too. When I see a mom with a kid in a meltdown-I'll go up to her and tell not to worry, life gets better sooner rather than later and that we've all been there before. Comes with the territory