Most embarrassing tantrums

[moinab]

Parents whose children never have tantrums, please go elsewhere.

What was your child's most embarrassing public tantrum?

My DS (3) is normally very easy-going and sweet, but a few months ago, I pushed him to the edge. We were preparing for a trip, and I had a limited amount of time to run a lot of essential errands. The last quick stop I had to make was at Walgreens, a few blocks from home. It was just a quick in and out, to grab one thing, so I was carrying DD (7 months at the time) and holding DS by the hand. All was well until I was in the middle of checking out. DS kept trying to break away to grab stuff off the shelves. I kept retrieving him and trying to pin him with my legs. He squirmed onto his back on the floor and started kicking and screaming, trying to get away. I was in the middle of the transaction (is it just me, or are all Walgreens checkouts incredibly slow?) so I put my foot on his chest to keep him from getting away. At the time, I was too irritated to be embarrassed, but as I was putting him in his car seat, I started to wonder if anyone was calling social services on me.

 

[believe]

There are several, but here was the longest one.....Going grocery shopping, as soon as I am in the store DD#2 starts throwing her tantrum. I have to get groceries, DH is working...not choice but to get through the store. All through the store she throws tantrums off and on, by the time we are at the register I have her in a football hold, trying to push my cart. DD#1 is being an angel. I ask her to get out of the cart because I need to put DD#2 in and I am afraid she may swing at DD#1. DD#1 gets out of the cart, DD#2 is screaming in the cart. I am holding her so she won't jump out. The lady who is going to bag for me, which is not normal since this is a self-bagging store proceeds to try to brib DD#2 with cookies. I tell her no thanks, she was not being rewarded for her behavior. As I am leaving the store a co-worker sees me since she glanced at were the screaming was coming from. I go to the truck, DD#2 is refusing to get in and is being so willful I can not restrain her in her carseat, she keeps climbing out. Co-worker comes out of the store, has finished her shopping....I am still there trying to get my DD in her carseat. My coworker decides she is going to stay because she doesn't want someone saying I am abusing my child...tells you how bad things looked with DD screaming at the top of her lungs. I finally get her restrained, had DD#1 switch her car seats, then told my coworker I was rolling up my windows and leaving. Coworker tells me later that she could still hear DD screaming through the closed windows. Get out of the parking lot and have to pull over on the road because DD found out how to get out of her carseat......struggle begins again. I did finally get home. I typically don't spank but I did try that as a last resort in the parking lot and it didn't help. Nothing was going to calm DD down until she decided she was ready to calm down.

 

[CamColt]

My kids definitely have had them, however I cant pinpoint just one, LOL! I think the horror of them all runs together.
I saw a good one recently though. We had taken DS to get his haircut at one of those chain places. There was a father in there with a DS getting a cut and he had a probably 2-3yo DD with him. The DD threw a major fit. She was yelling, screaming rolling around on the floor, kicking her shoes off, etc.. The father just sat there calm as can be ignoring it. Isnt it funny how parents can do that? Of course my almost 4 yo had his hands over his ears telling me(loudly) "Shes being really loud!". If only he could see himself sometimes.

 

[ahutton]

I've been blessed with wonderful children, but they both have independent streaks. Before her little sister came along we took our first DD shopping for shoes. She was probably just under 2 at the time. She normally loves to put shoes on and off, but of course not when we were actually trying to buy some. She threw herself to the floor and started screaming. I tried to put a shoe on her foot and she goes from screaming to "ouch" very loud and then trys to run away. Store employees were checking on us to see what we were doing to her, we surrendered and left. Maybe it was just Famous Footwear, because later that day in Target we got a couple pairs and she loved it.

 

[swanmom]

At a miniature golf course, my then 3 year old DD got mad that the ball wouldn't go in the hole. She grabbed it and threw it as far and fast as she could across the course!! Through some fortunate act of God, no one was hit. My DH threw her over his shoulder and carried her, screaming loud enough to crack glass and kicking him in the back, off the course and through the adjacent amusement park to our car. We had the same car seat struggles as 'believe' until we finally got her strapped in (though she continued to buck like a bronco.) She was so loud that we then stood outside the car for almost 40 minutes........we just couldn't sit in there with her screaming and it certainly wouldn't have been safe to drive. (Talk about road rage.) You should have seen the looks on the faces of the passers-by as they watched these two exhausted parents standing outside the rocking, screaming car. The only levity in the whole situation came from DH who turned to me at one point and said: "Look, she's so hot she's steamed up the windows of the car" And she had!

 

[CEDmom]

Like your children my DD is a wonderful easy going child 99% of the time but she does have her moments and when she does look out. The latest happened about 2 months ago. We went to the neighborhood playground one Sunday afternoon. DD met one of her friends and was playing nicely while I talked to her friend's mom. I guess DD didn't like not having my undivided attention so she started whining. She wanted to go in the baby swing (DD is a tiny 4 yo old so she still fits in this). I told her when she asked nicely I'd put her in. The whining got worse and I went over to her and repeated what I'd said. She then hit me and started spitting (lovely, I know ). Well, that was the end of our visit to the playground. I picked her up and carried her home. Luckily DD is small and our house was only a block away. She fought me the whole way, screaming and hitting. We got home and she tried to get out of the house. I put her in her room and she came out of there. I finally closed all the other doors upstairs and closed the gate at the top of the stairs and left her up there. She screamed for a good 1/2 hour before finally calming down.

 

[Serena]

My kids were normally pretty easy going too, but they had some doozies. I think my mind has blocked them though, since I can't remember a certain one.
I do remember one my niece had though. Me and my sil was at McDonalds with the kids in the playground. My neice started acting up, she did all the time, but this time there were some other parents in there that didn't appreciate it. My sil finally does something and it gets worse. Since the other parents are getting irate about things, my sil decides to take my niece home. So, she picks her up and carries her through the restaurant to the car. My niece was screaming, hollaring, kicking, everything you can think of. AND, screaming that my sil wasn't her mom, that she was a stranger and she didn't want to go.
There were 5 policemen sitting there, and they must have seen the beginning of the fit because they didn't do anything at all.

 

[MAC3]

My DD's worst one was during Christmas season, we went to the Mall. DD(3 at the time) was always afraid to sit on Santas lap, so we went all the way to the other side of the mall to give it a try.

She chose not to, fine, at the time they always just happened to sit Santa right outside of KayBee toys, so of course as we are walking past it my DD decided she wanted some trinket from the store.

When I wouldn't buy it for her she screamed at the top of her lungs from 1 end of the mall to the other about how evil of a mother I was and how much she didn't like me, she liked Daddy more than me....ect,ect,ect..

At one point I offered her to strangers but found no one wants a screaming child having a meltdown. Hummm wonder why?

Needless to say, I'm a firm believer in what goes around comes around.

 

[peg2001]

Well, since you asked for most embarassing. . . it would have to be the time I took DD3 out of a restaurant for misbehaving. I sat her right outside the door on the sidewalk and told her that she was to stay right there until she decided that she would behave. I took several steps away and waited. Every person to go in or come out of the restaurant looked at DD's scowling face, looked at me, and burst out laughing.

Fortunately, my DDs usually saved their real screaming fits for home.

Peggy

 

[tmli]

We have been battling numerous behaviour issues with my ds(7) for years. He has Aspergers and a number of other conditions that make being in public places very difficult for him. Back before we knew all this we didn't have the same coping tools we now have.....thus we lived thru many public spectacles.

They all kind of blend together.....my ds always was very dramatic. I would take his hand when he was misbehavin and he would drop to the floor screaming "ouch!!ouch!!!your breaking my hand!" Even though I was just holding it. I'd give him a slight nudge in the direction I needed him to walk and he would throw himself across the floor scrreaming "Don't push me" If I was escorting him out of somewhere because of his behaviour he would yell "Help, Help!!!Stranger! I want my mommy!" We look alot alike so most people didn't fall for that one.

Luckily many of the professionals who were helping our family discover what was wrong with my ds witnessed this dramatic behaviour so it was very well documented in case we had any problems. Ironically it was only people berating me for being such a terrible parent and not disciplining him better that ever commented!

 

[RUDisney]

Gee, MAC3, why does it seem that KayBee seems to be an instigater of trouble?

I was in the mall with DD, who was 5 at the time, and didn't speak English yet. She wanted a doll from KayBee. I told her we'd see on our way back. I tried walking down the other side of the mall, but dang if she didn't spy the store. She didn't need another doll, and Christmas was right around the corner. I had to pick her up off the ground. She started biting, kicking, screaming and yelling in Russian. I was all sweated up by the time we got to the car. I don't think there was one person who didn't smirk at us as we left the mall. The only consolation is that she hasn't done this since and she was light enough then to carry. Now, I'd have to drag her out on the floor.

 

[FOJMO]

Oh, yeah, there were LOTS of them! The one that really comes to mind is the time my DH and I were in a restaurant with my mother and my grandmother. Our DD threw a major tantrum just at the meal was being served and my DH ended up going outside with her while I ate my meal and then we switched places, while he ate his meal.

My mother and grandmother spoke about that one for years. They could not deal with the tantrums at their age (what age really can?) and they said she was "horrid"!

Also, does anyone have a child that has "disappearing legs"??? Like, when you want them to walk and you're holding their hands and all of a sudden their legs "disappear" (or collapse might be another word)? We had that a LOT!

Thank goodness DD's 17 now and a wonderfully behaved young woman!

 

[debster812]

DS's worst tantrum as a toddler, was fortunately pretty private, as it happened in the car. He was sick with an ear infection, and it was winter. I went to the pharmacy drive through to drop off the scrip, figuring I would drive around for the 30 mins or so, in hopes that he would drop off and have a little power nap.

Well, the meltdown began as we pulled away from the drive through with NO FRENCH FRIES for my little fry monster. Holy Cow, he cried, screamed, and kicked in his car seat for 35 minutes. I finally took him home, dropped him off with DH and went back for the meds.

 

[moinab]

LOL! I'm so glad I posted this! It really helps to know so many of us go through these lovely experiences. DD (aka Stitch) just turned 10 months old, and is gearing up to be an unholy terror. I know I had it easy with DS, but she's going to make up for it in spades! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us.

FOJMO, we've done the eating in shifts routine many times, and DS is starting to use to disappearing legs tactic on us. Good to know he should outgrow it by 17.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

The worst tantrum I ever witnessed was by the daughter of a long ago ex boyfriend. I was only 18 so I had no idea how to handle this. The child was three. We took her to toys are us to look around one day after we were done with our other shopping. Well, we couldn't get her out of there. We'd try, but she'd start screaming. Holy cow, eventually the store wanted to close, but she wouldn't allow us to take her out. She threw herself on the floor and screamed and kicked and grabbed at things so she couldn't be forced out. The Toys R Us crew were patient and said nothing as they checked out the remaining customers while this child lay on the ground screaming and kicking and swearing. Finally, all other customers were out of the store and they started to pressure us to get out. I'm standing there, 18 years old and NOT used to little kids, totally horrified. The child was grabbing at store displays and wouldn't let go so we couldn't pick her up at get her out without causing merchandise to come crashing down. Finally, I told the kid's father that I was going out to the car and that I'd wait there for them. It took another 15 mintues. I have no idea how he finally got her out. I'd say in total, that child was on the floor screaming a full45 minutes. It was so embarrassing I thought I'd die.

That was the last date I had with that guy!

 

[KathyFP]

I am blessed to have a child that does not throw tantrum with me (She has with DH). Although she is bright with a lot of energy, her temperament is easy going and flexible.

except once……

DH & I were both parked in my parking garage. I was getting ready to leave to go out of town for a few days. (Background info – since DH is a SAHD and DD was in preschool, they always traveled with me. Now she is in Kindergarten) I went to hug DD goodbye and she started to scream and cry and run around the parking garage. DH put her in the car and she got out the other side and got into my car and would not get out. We had to physically get her out. DH held her, while I drove away (broken hearted).

I will add that I am a strong advocate for non violent parenting. DD has never been spanked and only once yelled at.

 

[Maude4Disney]

Fortunately when DS was younger he didn't have many tantrums. I could probably count them on one hand. (he's 10 now and making up for it) He did have a doosey though that I remember like it was yesterday. We were living away from family at the time and DH's parents were visiting. We had gone to church and DS 2 at the time was starting to get a little antsy, so instead of disrupting everyone DH took him outside (church was about 15 minutes from being over). However this was not the best move. DH didn't realize that there was a playground outside and DS was insisting that he get to play (it had recently rained and everything was still wet) when DH said no, DS had a major meltdown. You could hear him screaming while we were still in the church. When we finally got outside, DH had put him in the car and he screamed all the way home (about a 20 minute drive). After arriving at home, we got him out of the car where he proceeded to lay down by the car and continue screaming. Everyone went inside and let him continue laying there, with the exception of me, who hid on the other side of the car to make sure he was ok. I think back now and laugh, but at the time I sure wanted to rattle the little stinkpot!

We now have 2nd DS who is almost 3 and tantrums are nothing new to him. I'm hoping that by the time he's as old as his older brother that he'll be the opposite of what DS10 is now. LOL

 

[mrssalvaggio]

Am I the only one reading these and laughing hysterically??

It isn't funny when it's happening to me, but I guess it's comforting to know others share the painful experience of having our children make us appear as if we are the most incompetent parent in the world.

CEDmom - After I was done reading your post, I scrolled down and saw the picture of your DD and my immediate reaction was that mom made it all up because that little girl is too precious looking to throw such a fit (just kidding!!)

I think the worst part about kids throwing fits in public is our fear of how others will react. Sometimes I long for how it was in the 70's when I was growing up and parents could swat without fear of being reported and other parents would nod with understanding rather than giving those judgmental stares.

Oh well, I also agree with the other poster about what goes around comes around - but sometimes not fast enough.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

My daughter wouldn't throw fits in public, but she would do it at home. She knew I didn't want our neighbors (at the time we lived in a duplex) to hear her cry. Our neighbor girl was very much the type who felt that children should never be allowed to cry and if you did allow them to cry, you were a bad parent. She was young and childless and had a lot of notions that weren't realistic. But I was also young, and very easily upset when people would judge me. So I would do everything in my power to keep her from crying.

My daughter quickly caught on to my own fear of letting her cry and upsetting that neighbor. I totally lost control of her. If she wanted to stay up, if she didn't want to take a bath, if she wanted to go outside when it was dinner time, if she didn't want to eat....whatever it was, if I tried to make her, she'd cry and scream. And that neigbor would give me nasty looks the next day which made me so paranoid.

Anyway, I bought a home three years ago....and it's in the country. My daughter got the shock of her life when she realized that the crying and screaming would no longer work. It took about a week of living here for her to give that up! lol! She's a good girl. It's just she knew that she could get away with stuff, so she did. I probably would have done the same thing.

 

[CEDmom]

Originally posted by mrssalvaggio
Am I the only one reading these and laughing hysterically??

CEDmom - After I was done reading your post, I scrolled down and saw the picture of your DD and my immediate reaction was that mom made it all up because that little girl is too precious looking to throw such a fit (just kidding!!)

Don't worry about it most people don't believe me when I tell them about DD's alter ego. She only has a meltdown of epic proportions 2-3 times a year so I rarely have witnesses. One of these times I'm going to have to get the video camera out.