How to manage a kid meltdown in a public place

Manuel Sperandio-Lemay

2022-09-25 09:08:36

Phew, tantrums in public places can be so embarrassing! Your child slapping you in front of his daycare teacher or screaming in the grocery store aisle… It’s really complicated! Here are 10 tips to help you get through the next crisis.

Do not say yes because of the crisis — Crédit: Stephen Andrews / Pexels

If the answer was no, it should not change because of our children's crying. We can sympathize with their sadness, but we must stand firm in our decisions and not let timidity change our parenting choices.

Don't allow the forbidden

If a behavior is forbidden at home, it should be forbidden outside as well. For example, the child cannot hit you because we are in public.

Leaving the public place

If you are uncomfortable having the crisis in the public place, you can leave the place with your child and handle the crisis a little more separately.

Embracing Your Emotion

Putting words to the child's emotion can be calming for him. For example, you might say, "I understand that you wanted this toy, it's really nice and you're sad. Would you like to put it on your wish list, for your party?".

Humor

Sometimes humor can really defuse a crisis. A little joke?

Let him experience his emotions

Sometimes your child will need to experience the full range of his emotions before speaking. Indeed, talking to your child while he is going through a crisis will not help much since he will not be open to listen to you. Sometimes the best thing to do is to step aside and let your child experience the emotion. Always keep an eye on your child to ensure his safety.

The Calm Box

This box contains several tools to help you manage your children's emotional outbursts!

How was your day?

This game can help your child recognize and identify emotions.

Yoga

Doing yoga as a family can help your whole family use breathing and mindfulness to better experience the next emotional waves.