I had to drag my 28 month old DD off the playground minutes after we got there today. It takes quite a bit to get us there in the first place. Pack lunch, diaper bag, extra clothes, drive 15 minutes etc. When we got to the park, she threw a tantrum because she wanted to go on the swings, and it didn't stop.
I told her we would take turns with the other children (they were occupied). I suggested we try the slide, the bouncy thing, the castle....fits. Tried sitting quietly, offered snacks....tantrum. Tried walking away toward somthing that might interest her, and she just stood there ,sobbing. Finally, I'd had it. I picked up her screaming, shrieking little fanny and plopped her back in the car and left. All this in front of a bunch of mortified adults. I'll admit, I didn't want them watching my kid behave badly, and I didn't want my coping/parenting skills to be judged, because clearly nothing I was doing was working.
Bad behavior is all new with her. I'm working on getting her to undertand "consequences" .We just entered the tantrum zone in the last month.
Should I have tried harder? Obviously I feel terrible and embarassed or I wouldn't be posting.
I think you did everything you could. I do the same thing with my children (5 and 7) if they throw a tantrum we leave wherever we are.
some days are like that. and you offered her choices and distractions until it was her turn on the swings. And when that did not work and she continued to throw a fit, you left. My only question would be did you give her a warning that if she did not calm herself down then you would have to leave and she would not get a turn at all? Sounds like you did just fine momma!
At that age I would have done the same thing. What you did is fine, and you are not a shitty mom!
I think you did the right thing. I would sit her down and talk to her about it... "remember when we had to leave the park? When we go back you need to behave and wait your turn or we will leave again. If you are nice and share the playground with others, you will have fun." something like that... just so she understands that due to her behavior, she was forced to leave the park.
I have a 2 1/2 year old dd...I would have done the same thing! You have to show her that that kind of behavior will not get her what she wants....way to be strong Mama! Hopefully you can go back to the park soon and try again, I guarantee it she will remember that and probably won't do it again. (fingers crossed!! :) )
Exactly what we did when we got back. She knows what sharing and taking turns is "in theory" but actually doing it is taking some getting used to. I'm planning on chatting with her later as well. Thank you!
Quoting lilysmom31:I think you did the right thing. I would sit her down and talk to her about it... "remember when we had to leave the park? When we go back you need to behave and wait your turn or we will leave again. If you are nice and share the playground with others, you will have fun." something like that... just so she understands that due to her behavior, she was forced to leave the park.
It sounds like you did everything you could. Hang in there and stay strong. 3 years, my daughter through a huge tantrum at targets because i got myself a frappichino but would not get her one( i got her water). She grabbed my shirt(it had three snaps on the front) and pulled so hard that the snaps came undone and i flashed everyone standing in line to check out. I was so embarressed!
Nah, at over 2 years old, it's time to learn that you don't get to throw a fit just because there are other kids on the swings. I don't tolerate that from my kids and it annoys me when other parents let their whining screaming kids interrupt our day at the park with their tantrums. I say you did a good job!
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- Ems629
on Mar. 18, 2010 at 3:39 PM