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

[ead79]

According to my mom I never had tantrums in public. I reserved my misbehavior for at home, LOL. Seriously, I didn't like drawing attention to myself, so I didn't have tantrums. I think it's a mixture of the child's personality and the parent's disciplinary style as to whether or not tantrums are a big issue.

 

[fanofdisney]

According to my mom I never had tantrums in public. I reserved my misbehavior for at home, LOL. Seriously, I didn't like drawing attention to myself, so I didn't have tantrums. I think it's a mixture of the child's personality and the parent's disciplinary style as to whether or not tantrums are a big issue.

I agree. My sister is at a loss with her son. She calls him "strong willed". When it's clear to everyone else that in this particular case (not everyone's!), that the solution is for the parents to set limits.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

My kids can really misbehave at times, but I can honestly say that none of them has ever thrown a full-blown temper tantrum or meltdown in a public place. Have they whined or cried because I wouldn't buy them a toy in the store? Yes, but when it went on for more than a minute or so I'd tell them to knock it off or I'd give them something to cry about it. Worked like a charm!

 

[willis37862]

I choose the "other". We don't have kids yet, but sometimes I have meltdowns in public. Yes, sad to say I can throw one heck of a tantrum!

 

[U2_rocks]

Flame if you will, but I find it hard to believe those who say "no, not at all". As in never. I just don't buy it that a child never had a tantrum!

Well, it does depend on how you define "tantrum". To me it goes beyond a little whining, maybe a few tears. A tantrum is disruptive - others notice it b/c it's loud and/or goes on for a while. My DS will screw up his face and fuss, older DD will frown and sulk, and the youngest DD will cry - but I can get them to calm down before it ever gets to true tantrum stage. So when I say they have never had a tantrum, I mean it by my own definition, not by anyone else's.

I would imagine that very few children have never misbehaved in some way in public, even if it's not strictly speaking a tantrum.

 

[MushyMushy]

Flame if you will, but I find it hard to believe those who say "no, not at all". As in never. I just don't buy it that a child never had a tantrum!

What's not to buy?

My DD has N E V E R had a tantrum, in public or at home. When she was an infant, she didn't cry. She just didn't. When she was hungry or uncomfortable, she'd do this little "eh, eh" sound, but never wailed or cried. She did eventually cry once in a while. She just never had that kind of temperament -- instead, she's very easy going, very obedient, very compliant.

DS has never had a rage, tantrum, or meltdown in public, but he has had rages at home. He's my difficult kid, but when you take him out in public, he's really out of his element. He was a great kid up until the age of 3 or so, and by then he was difficult at home, but never wanted to call attention to himself in public.

U2 Rocks has a good point that it depends on how you define it. Here's how I view the differences.

Tantrum: an angry fit where the kid stomps around, yells, makes shouting demands, screams at the parents, maybe throws himself down on the ground and kicks. Brought on a result of not getting their way for whatever reason.

Meltdown: similar to a tantrum, but accompanied by tears and whining. Brought on because of overstimulation, tiredness, or having had enough.

Rage: what my son does -- worse than a tantrum; accompanied by violence. Brought on by all of the above from meltdown and tantrum.