ocd4disney
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2005
- Messages
- 4,957
My dd (now 7) used to throw really big tantrums. I tried the ignore the tantrum trick with my oldest but it never worked!! And giving her a choice only worked for a little while...until she caught on to that trick. My dd was a BIG tantrum thrower. So I decided if she was going embarrass me I was going to embarrass her. One day (she was a little over 3 when the tantrums became so bad I needed a new approach) she started her fit in public....I calmly asked her to stop.....of course she didn't so I raised my voice a little and said "attention everybody...My dd would like to throw you a tantrum. OK, now you have our attention...go ahead and kick and scream." Low and behold she didn't like everyone looking at her and she stopped screaming She only tried this one other time in public. We were in Sams and I had just bought tons of stuff. My dh and mom were with me when she started her fit so I sent them to the car with the groceries. She wanted a slice of pizza and I said no we could eat at home. As soon as she started screaming I said " attention everyone, my dd would like to throw a tantrum for you" then I told her to go ahead with her tantrum. I also told her to make it a good one because everyone was watching her. She tried to grab hold of my shirt and pull on me but I pushed her away and said she needed to throw her fit away from me. There was a man sitting in the front on a bench watching us and he laughed at her. She quit screaming and put her head down and mumbled she wanted to go home now. I pretending that I couldn't hear her. I said "What? You're done? Are you sure?" she said yes and since that day she hasn't thrown a tantrum in public (she is now 7).. Tantrums at home were a little trickier but the bad ones have stopped thanks to a similiar way of handling them. I would tell her at home "Oh you want to throw a tantrum...OK, you have my full attention. Throw the biggest tantrum ever....I haven't seen a good tantrum in a while." And if there was anyone else around I would get their attention too. "Look dd is throwing a fit" and kind of laugh a little. I guess they weren't as much fun if she thought I liked them....right? That day in Sams was really priceless 
. You should have seen my dd's face.
My dd was a little over 3 though so I am not sure how this would work on a younger child. My ds is only 16 months old....I guess I will find out
or maybe I will be lucky and he won't throw terrible tantrums?
. You should have seen my dd's face.My dd was a little over 3 though so I am not sure how this would work on a younger child. My ds is only 16 months old....I guess I will find out
or maybe I will be lucky and he won't throw terrible tantrums? 
Every time my son acts up, I know it's completely normal behavior for his age. But the understanding doesn't make it any less frustrating of a situation for both of us! I can't wait for him to grow out of it. Although, I suppose once he does, my second one will be at the right age for more tantrum antics.
they really are good boys, most of the time!
