We have all been there at one time or another.
While shopping for groceries your little angel asks for a cookie.
Replying that she can have one when she gets home, you continue down the aisle, where without warning your little angel turns into a ferocious two year old, screaming and crying for that elusive cookie.
Now mind you, this is not your ordinary whining but ‘someone is killing me’ screams that echo throughout the store, bringing all eyes on you and your defiant child.
Don’t give up girls! Here are 5 ways to help diffuse the situation and get your toddler behaving nicely again. (At least until she sees the ice cream.)
Pre-emptive Strike.
Before you even step into the store, talk with your toddler and explain in simple terms how you expect him to be a good boy. Let him know that if he can be quiet and stay in his seat then you will do a special activity when you get home, like reading a story or playing hide and seek. You can also promise something sweet to eat later, but you run the risk of creating a monster that will only be good if he knows candy is his reward. (they’re smarter than you think)
Be Realistic.
You can’t possibly expect your toddler to be good through six stops at various stores to shop and run errands. I am sorry but it’s just not going to happen. Your toddler is going to get cranky from being in the car seat all day, plus she most likely will be tired from the lull of the car or if you missed her naptime.
Understand your child’s limitations and try to plan accordingly. Maybe you can wait until your spouse gets home to do the major shopping or if you have a close friend you can swap days where you will watch each others kids. That way you can be free to shop and not have to worry about a screaming toddler.
Stock up.
Get a zip lock storage bag and gather up little toys that will interest your toddler. Collect crayons and paper, dolls, small books, cars and anything else you can think of to keep your little one busy. This doesn’t always work, but I have found that a toy pulled from the bag at the beginning of a meltdown will diffuse the situation and distract your child long enough to get out of the cookie aisle.
Little Helper.
Even toddlers like to help their parents. If you enlist your toddler to help you put the cereal in the cart or to hold your grocery list, it will make him feel important and happy that he is such a big boy. If he starts to throw a tantrum remind him that if he wants to be your big helper that he has to be good. This can be enough to turn the tide because he wants to make you happy.
Be Willing to Leave.
When all else fails and you are being humiliated in front of a store of people and all you want to do is be swallowed up by the floor, gather up your screaming and kicking child and leave your cart where it is. While you’re walking to the car, count to a hundred and remind yourself that your toddler is a wonderful, beautiful special angel who is just having a bad day. Then count to a hundred one more time.
