My 2 1/2 year old daughter has screaming tantrum fits when I take her out to the shops and try to put her in her pram or in a trolley, ive tried just letting her walk but she just wants to constantly run off. She doesn't like holding hand as she is very independent, ive tried bribing her but she doesn't care to much for anything I offer or will b excited about it until she has to sit down. Ive tried just letting her sit without the staps on but she will just jump out and run off while we are walking. Ive also tried the little back pack with the lead but she hate when I hold onto the lead aswell.
I also have the same problem when trying to put her into her carseat.
I feel very embarrassed when she has these fits as everyone that walks by just stared at me like im being abusive towards her.
Ive gotten to the point where I just dont want to take her out anywhere. Would love sone advice from IMS that have been in this situation before.
6 Replies
Perseverance unfortunately. Try doing short sharp trips though so they are not as stressful for you and gives her a chance to be successful. Also don't worry about what other people think. I'd make the next couple of trips ducking in for one thing that you know you can get quickly.
Child Harness? or one of those expandable wrist straps if your concerned with people telling you, that you look like your walking a dog. If she wants to walk thats great she's 2 and 1/2 its the right age for her to start being a big girl. But you need to keep her contained to your side and the trolley. If my kid has a tantrum I just keep walking through the shops ignoring him and not worrying about what any one thinks. He's 5 y/o with Autism so meltdowns are a regular occurrence for me and I am used to being kicked and screamed at. Mums need to stop worrying about what others think and do what it best for themselves and their kids. What may work for one may not work for another. Reward her for walking next to the trolley and scold her when she runs away.
Give her a treat if she sits in the trolley?
Can you go to a store that has the kids trolleys?? My 2.5 year old is Mr Independent and now I have learned to let him act like he is shopping like mummy. I let him pick his own fruit to put in the trolley and put the 'fun' things in his trolley. It takes FOREVER to do a shop, but my sanity is saved haha I have also printed out a shopping list for him with pictures of apples, bananas etc and he loves it!
My son was like this the only wat I could distract him from bing in the trolly is to give him the shopping list and a pen to mark off the things as they go in the trolly I also gave him a pet talk before we went in saying if his naughty he wouldn't be aloud to come next time and then if he was good in the trolly praising him with either a treat or something like ur such a big kid for helping me after a few times it worked and he stopped his tantrums
Be consistent so she knows what you expect every time you shop. Praise good behaviour. Explain 'if you run off, you might get lost and that would make mum very scared and very sad.' Ask her to help you 'can you get the pasta and put it in the trolley for me?' Then praise 'thank you, you are being a great helper' remain calm and do not ever reward negative behaviour. Speak to her about the kind of behaviour you expect while shopping 'while we are out, I need to you stay with me and i would love if you could help me'. Hope this works for you. Works well with my munchkins (most of the time)